Death

:

May 21, 2008

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Siegmund Nissel was a renowned classical music artist who was born on January 3, 1922, in Munich, Germany. He was a violinist and a founding member of the Amadeus Quartet, which was one of the most celebrated string quartets of the 20th century. Nissel began playing the violin at the age of six and was soon recognized as a prodigious talent. He studied at the Munich Conservatory and later at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he was a pupil of the legendary violinist and pedagogue, Carl Flesch. In 1947, Nissel joined forces with three other young musicians – Peter Schidlof, Martin Lovett, and Norbert Brainin – to form the Amadeus Quartet. The quartet took its name from the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose music they played with great sensitivity and insight. The Amadeus Quartet quickly established itself as one of the leading chamber ensembles of its time. They made their debut at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1948 and went on to perform at major concert halls and festivals throughout Europe and the United States. Nissel was known for his impeccable technique, his warm and expressive tone, and his ability to blend seamlessly with his fellow musicians. He was also a gifted arranger and transcriber, and many of the quartet's most memorable performances featured his arrangements of works by Bach, Mozart, and other composers. Over the course of his career, Nissel recorded extensively with the Amadeus Quartet, producing more than 200 recordings that are still highly regarded today. Some of their most acclaimed recordings include their interpretations of Mozart's string quartets, Beethoven's late quartets, and Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" quartet. In addition to his work with the Amadeus Quartet, Nissel was also a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Nissel was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1970, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1987, he was made an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London. Despite his many achievements, Nissel remained humble and dedicated to his craft throughout his life. He continued to perform and teach until his death on May 21, 2008, at the age of 86. Today, Siegmund Nissel is remembered as one of the greatest violinists and chamber musicians of the 20th century. His recordings with the Amadeus Quartet continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world, and his legacy as a musician and teacher lives on through the countless musicians he influenced and inspired over the course of his long and illustrious career.

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