Klaus Sonnleitner was born in Bad Ischl (Upper Austria) in 1970. He received his musical education at the Salzburg Mozarteum’s University of Music and Performing Arts. His professors there included Albert Anglberger and Hans-Joachim Rotzsch (conducting), Judith Barta (vocalinstruction), Wolfgang Sauseng (churchmusic composition), and Wolfgang Kreuzhuber (organ improvisation). He also studied harpsichord with Liselotte Brändle and took additional training in instrumental pedagogy. He completed his studies with distinction and obtained his Master of Arts Degree in 1995. He was also the recipient of an honorary prize (Würdigungspreis) from the Ministry of Science and Art. From 1990 to 1995, Sonnleitner worked as an instructor in organ and piano at music schools in Gmunden and Bad Ischl. He also attended many masterclasses and took part in various competitions, focusing especially on the interpretation of early music. Beginning in 1995, he began studying theology in Linz, and in 1997 entered the monastery for Augustinian canons in St Florian. He completed his Master’s Degree in Theology in 2001 and was ordained as a priest in 2002. Pastoral work in the parishes of Attnang and Vöcklabruck followed, and since 2006, he has been organist at St Florian. He has also served as a guest master of the monestary and chaplain at the parish of Ebelsberg. In 2011, he served on the jury of the international organ competition in St. Maurice (Wallis/CH). Sonnleitner currently has a busy career as a concert organist and also serves as an adviser for organ building projects. He has made many CDs and radio broadcasts.
