Key-Thomas Märkl was born in 1963 and is the son of a Japanese pianist and German violinist.  He studied with Rami Shevelow at the Juilliard School in New York and continued his studies with Shmuel Ashkenasi of the Vermeer Quartet, completing his B.M. and Masters at Northern Illinois University.   

Since 1990 he has been a member of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Bavarian Radio Chamber Orchestra.  He is in demand as a soloist and has been invited to play chamber music in concert halls throughout Germany and Europe.  String quartet tours have taken him to Iceland and America and Europe.  He has recorded many chamber works for the Bavarian Radio and the Col legno label.

Regularly, he performs with his duo partner, the internationally know guitarist Christian Gruber.  Tours have taken them through Germany, Austria and Italy. 

Among his many solo activities he appears frequently with the famous German actor Christian Tramitz in performances of The Secret Box for narrator, violin and string orchestra as well as with the literary-music program The Violinist for actor, violin and piano. 

‘‘...with amazing virtuosity...’’  Süddeutsche Zeitung

‘‘ The tone of the Stradivari unfolded and filled the church, with its jubilant, sparkling, whispering sound...’’  Landsberger Tagblatt

‘‘ Key -Thomas Märkl demonstrated his impressive abilities...’’Münchner Merkur

‘‘ His passion made his beautiful playing unmistakable...’’ Fonoforum