Mathis Rochat is a Franco-Swiss violist acclaimed for his expressive depth, stylistic versatility, and inventive approach to both core and transcribed repertoire. Praised for his “rich and subtle viola sound” and “marvelous poetic imag- inative power” by Bieler Tagblatt, he is recognized as “one of the most promising and creative violists of his generation” by Concerti.de.

His recent recording Rachmaninoff Stories was lauded by Klassik Heute for its “generous, gorgeous tone” and “stunning virtuosity,” while BBC Music Magazine highlighted his “warm timbre” and poetic interplay. In his latest concerto release, The Strad praised his “infectiously enthusiastic playing,” noting his “crisp spiccato” and “endlessly inventive phrasing”—hallmarks of a musician who combines refined technique with interpretive daring.

As a soloist, Rochat has performed with ensembles including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Geneva Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Schweiz, and Norddeutsche Philharmonie, as well as the Bishkek, Timișoara, and Brașov Philharmonic Orchestras. He regularly appears at major European festivals such as Schleswig-Holstein, Tsinandali, Budapest, Reims and Gstaad Festivals.
His discography includes L’alto Parnassien, focused on Impressionist French music, Rachmaninoff Stories, featuring seven new viola transcriptions and classical concertos by J.G. Graun and a transcription of a C.P.E. Bach cello concerto, performed with Camerata Schweiz under Howard Griffiths. His latest album is dedicated to the British viola repertoire with W. Walton, A. Benjamin and H. Howells’ viola con- certos in a collaboration with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conductor Howard Griffiths and violinist Abigél Králik.

A passionate chamber musician and educator, Rochat holds a professorship at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp and is co-founder and Artistic Director of TARA Chamber Concerts in Brussels. He has also taught at leading international masterclasses, including the Festival Academy Budapest.