Wilfried Tachezi was a renowned Austrian cellist, conductor, and musicologist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on August 23, 1940, in Vienna, Austria, to a family of musicians. His father, Franz Tachezi, was a well-known organist and composer, and his mother, Gertrude Tachezi, was a pianist. Growing up in a musical household, Wilfried was exposed to music from an early age and showed a keen interest in the cello. Wilfried began his musical education at the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned cellist Tobias Kühne. He later continued his studies at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg, where he received his diploma in cello performance. During his time at the Mozarteum, he also studied conducting with Herbert von Karajan and musicology with Erich Schenk. In 1963, Wilfried joined the Vienna Symphony Orchestra as a cellist, where he played for several years before becoming the principal cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969. He held this position for over two decades and was widely regarded as one of the finest cellists of his generation. He also performed as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. In addition to his performing career, Wilfried was also a respected conductor and musicologist. He conducted many orchestras, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, and the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra. He was also a prolific writer and published several books on music, including a biography of his father, Franz Tachezi. One of the highlights of Wilfried's career was his performance of Bach's six suites for solo cello at the Salzburg Festival in 1978. This performance was widely acclaimed and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest cellists of his time. He also received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art and the Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria. Wilfried retired from performing in 1994 but continued to be active in the music world as a conductor and musicologist. He also taught at the Vienna Music Academy and the Mozarteum University of Salzburg, where he mentored many young musicians. Wilfried Tachezi passed away on May 8, 2016, at the age of 75. He left behind a rich legacy as a performer, conductor, and scholar, and his contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

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