Stephan Merath

Four years ago, Stephan Moccio was struck by a flash of inspiration that set him on the path to fulfilling a lifelong dream. Recognized in 1988, this dream was to create an epic anthem for the Olympic games upon their return to Canada. Recently released nationwide, his 2010 Olympic theme “I Believe,” performed by the young and talented Nikki Yanofsky, invokes the captivating spirit of the games while bringing all Canadians together in support of a country destined to win at home. Working alongside long-time friend and eventual collaborator, Alan Frew of Glass Tiger fame, Stephan has created a musical classic, representing the emotional, uplifting and empowering disposition of the Olympics. In addition to the official 2010 song, Stephan has reworked the theme for over 200 cues to be heard throughout CTV’s 16-day broadcast.

Feel More. Think Less. During the winter of 2023, pianist and composer Stephan Moccio traded his home of Los Angeles for the South of France to record his album "Legends, Myths and Lavender", far away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan chaos at the iconic Chateau Miraval. Stephan Moccio: "Three things I'm most passionate about-music, wine, and architecture-combined into this experience".

Is a german hornplayer, main point natural horn, teacher and instrument builder.Born 1972, he studied in Weimar with Reiner Heimbuch and Karl Biehlig, in Leipzig withHermann Märker, later studies of conducting and choir leading in Weimar.
First orchestra experiences at the age of 17 with the “Vogtland-Philharmonie Greiz”, with 18 on the Theater of Erfurt, also “Junge Deutsche Philharmonie”and with 19 years he became 2nd hornplayer of the “Staatskapelle Weimar”.
Since the 90th he specialized in historic horn instruments, he was participant of the “Naturhorn Festival Essen 1993”, also coached by the Frankfurt hornplayer Peter Steidle.Since 2002 is Stephan Katte freelancer and played most parts from J.S.Bach, also the extreme high cantatas Nr. 14, 16, 65 etc. with nearly all German ancient-music-groups, p.e. Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Concerto Köln, Les amis de Philipe, Das Kleine Konzert etc.In 2007 he discovered the horns of Anton Kerner sr. and jr. in the Moravian State Museum, played them from 2008-2010 and started to rebuild this instruments by himself in authentic handcraft style.

A one-man universe of sound who has learned to play hundreds of instruments from across the globe, which he utilizes in captivating and exotic ways. Collection includes: Implosions (1977); Til The End Of Time (1978); Wings Over Water (1982); Listen To The Rain (1983); East Of The Night (1985); Ocean (1986); The Music Of Stones (1989); Darkness And Light (1990); To The Evening Child (1992); Athos: A Journey To The Holy Mountain (1994); The Garden Of Mirrors (1997); Desert Poems (2001); Life (2004); On The Wing (2006); Bold As Light (2010).

Stephan Moccio, acclaimed composer/producer (Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, The Weeknd), returns to his classical roots and the piano.

The Mass in B minor holds a very special place in J.S. Bach’s output: a work of grandeur, an opus ultimum, it was not composed as such but is the result of an assembly of pieces written at different times and for different circumstances.

Aside from his only opera Fidelio, Beethovens general link with the theater in Vienna came about largely with incidental music or songs to be inserted into the works of other composers- insertion arias. Konig Stephan was written to celebrate the politically significant opening of a new theatre in Pest, its triumphant mood honoring the ruling Austrian Emperor. Standard Bearer of female heroism Leonore Prohaska is commemorated with a Soldiers Chorus and a Romance with harp accompaniment. In Friedrich von Matthissons poem Opferlied (Sacrificial Song), a young man prays to Zeus to bestow upon him beauty and goodness in youth and old age. Two of Beethovens four settings are heard on this wide-ranging programme.

When Stephan Moccio sits at the piano, he plays the truth. There are no filters and no boundaries, the music is pure emotion. To record this album he went to Miraval Studios in the south of France, where he recorded 'Legends, Myths and Lavender' in four weeks. “The place is absolutely beautiful. In many ways my music is just a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.