Birth

:

1961 in Kassel, Germany

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Anja Lechner is a renowned cellist and classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born on February 24, 1961, in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, Lechner grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist, which inspired her to pursue a career in music. Lechner began playing the cello at the age of eight and quickly showed exceptional talent. She studied at the Musikhochschule Freiburg and later at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart, where she received her diploma in 1983. During her studies, she was mentored by renowned cellists such as Antonio Janigro and Radu Aldulescu. After completing her studies, Lechner began her professional career as a cellist. She joined the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and later became a member of the Munich Chamber Orchestra. She also performed with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her work as an orchestral cellist, Lechner also pursued a career as a soloist and chamber musician. She performed in numerous concerts and festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her performances were highly acclaimed, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented cellists of her generation. One of the highlights of Lechner's career was her collaboration with the renowned pianist Keith Jarrett. The two musicians met in 1983 and began performing together in 1986. Their collaboration resulted in several critically acclaimed albums, including "The Melody at Night, With You" and "Jasmine." Their performances were characterized by their improvisational style and their ability to create a unique musical language. Lechner's work as a chamber musician also gained her recognition. She was a member of the Rosamunde Quartet, which was founded in 1992. The quartet performed extensively throughout Europe and recorded several albums, including "Schubert: String Quartets Nos. 13 & 14" and "Brahms: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2." The quartet was highly regarded for its interpretation of classical and contemporary music. In addition to her work as a cellist, Lechner also became interested in the music of the Middle East. She began studying the music of the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument, and collaborated with several Middle Eastern musicians. Her interest in Middle Eastern music led her to collaborate with the Tunisian singer Dhafer Youssef. The two musicians recorded several albums together, including "Digital Prophecy" and "Divine Shadows." Lechner's work as a cellist and chamber musician has been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1991, she was awarded the German Record Critics' Award for her recording of Bach's cello suites. In 2006, she received the Echo Klassik Award for her album "Chants, Hymns and Dances." In 2011, she was awarded the Bavarian Culture Prize for her contribution to the arts. Lechner's career has been characterized by her versatility and her ability to collaborate with musicians from different genres and cultures. Her work as a cellist and chamber musician has been highly acclaimed, and she has gained a reputation as one of the most talented musicians of her generation. Her collaborations with Keith Jarrett and Dhafer Youssef have resulted in some of the most innovative and exciting music of recent years.

More....