Imagine it's not Possible - Yet Someone Does it Anyway

“When I am on stage I am looking forward to giving people a beautiful time.” Simply put by Felix Klieser.

As an avid 'culture vulture' I, Rebekah James, was thrilled to learn that one of the most prolific horn soloists was visiting Hong Kong in April. German born Felix Klieser has played the horn with some of the most celebrated orchestras in the world, has won countless awards, played at the BBC Proms, and has premiered works dedicated to him.

This in itself is quite incredible but the thing that makes his extraordinary accomplishments that bit more extra special is the fact that Felix was born with no arms. He saw a picture of a French Horn as a 4-year-old and asked his parents for lessons. The rest is history. Felix has been playing the horn using his feet for over 30 years. 

Having been blown away by his appearance with The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong I arranged an interview with Felix before he dashed off to play a concert in Antigua!

Interview with the awe-inspiring Felix Klieser
Imagine it's not Possible - Yet Someone Does it Anyway

Photo courtesy by: Stefan Brending

I met him at his hotel in Hong Kong the day after the concert and learnt about his extraordinary journey. Felix travels the world unaccompanied most of the time, drives his car in Germany, has a passion for open water swimming and has written a book called "Imagine it's not Possible - Yet Someone Does it Anyway."

As a marathon runner I always travel with two pairs of trainers. I have one pair in my check in and one in my hand carry. I lost a pair in transit before the Berlin marathon and learnt from that mistake. I assumed that Felix would adopt the same approach and also travel the world with two horns. What would happen should he lose a horn in transit en route to somewhere like Antigua?! When I quizzed him about this he simply said, 'well I'd go and buy another one!' The fact of the matter is that Felix doesn't sweat the small stuff. His mindset is purely 'can do.' No obstacle is unsurmountable.

In the interview Felix wonderfully puts;

“The most important thing is not if you are an intelligent person, or the circumstances you are born in. It is more important what your passion is and I want to show people, when you have a passion for something and when you learn how to believe in you, you have so many possibilities in life, it does not mean it will be easy.”

Felix Klieser's extraordinary career proves that holding on to one's dreams against all odds is the path to success and happiness. If you have that self belief, determination, passion to chase your goal you will bring it to fruition no matter the odds.

We often deal with clients who are petrified of public speaking, giving presentations due to fear of failure. Felix’ journey shows that anything is possible and this is something we see over and over again. It’s about adopting the right mindset. Nothing makes us prouder than to see our clients fly high and smash their communication skills goals.

I'm thrilled to say that I shall be hooking up with Felix to watch him perform in Wales this Summer and will be sharing his extraordinary journey on Radio and Television. If you'd like a taste of this genius in action do please click on the link below. It took Felix a year and half to learn to play his first piece of music as a soloist. It took me about 7 years to perfect one of Mozart's horn concertos. The rotary valves of my beloved horn have now been well oiled and my passion for the instrument has been reignited. Apologies in advance to my lovely neighbours! Sadly, I've lost the tone and breath capacity I had as a teenager, however having met Felix my love affair with the sound of the horn has been reignited and practice I shall in the hope of a duet one day! Watch this space.

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Until next month!

Warmest regards,

The Connect Family