Born in Graz, Austria, Hans Peter Ochsenhofer studied violin and trumpet at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz. He continued his violin studies with Franz Samohyl at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien and became a member of the Wiener Symphoniker in 1971. In 1977 he became Second Principal Viola of the Wiener Symphoniker, also earning a diploma for viola with distinction after working with Siegfried Führlinger at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. Ochsenhofer joined the Wiener Staatsoperorchester in the same year and won the position of Associate Principal Viola in 1978. Subsequently, he won a position in the Wiener Philharmoniker in 1980. An avid teacher, he became a professor at the Wiener Konservatorium in 1983 and was appointed to a full professorship for viola at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien in 1993. Known for his skill as an orchestral coach, he has been invited to teach at various programs for young musicians, including the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and the American Orchestra Academy in Miami.
As a chamber musician he performed for many years as a member of the Wiener Virtuosen and is currently the violist of the Wiener Streichquartett. In 2005 he founded the chamber orchestra Wiener Mozartisten and began working as a conductor.
This is his fifteenth appearance at PMF since 1996.