Honorary doctorate for Heinz Holliger
The University of Basel celebrated its 559th Dies academicus with a ceremony. The seven new honorary doctors include the oboist and composer Heinz Holliger and the Zurich Aids doctor Ruedi Lüthy.
As an oboe virtuoso with a worldwide reputation, Holliger experimented with advanced playing techniques, writes the University of Basel. He also rediscovered some forgotten musicians of the 18th century and inspired important contemporary composers to write new works.
As a composer, the 80-year-old explores the boundaries of sound and language, and as a conductor and organizer, he is committed to Basel's musical culture through significant institutional and artistic impulses.
Other honorary doctorates from Basel went to the pastor Martin Stingelin, the entrepreneur Klaus Endress and three researchers from the USA: the lawyer Bryan A. Stevenson, the cell biologist Randy W. Schekman and the psychologist Jerome R. Busemeyer.
