Birth

:

1932 in Klagenfurt, Austria

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Konrad Ragossnig is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a guitarist, conductor, and musicologist. Born on November 6, 1932, in Klagenfurt, Austria, Ragossnig grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to music at an early age. Ragossnig began his musical journey by learning the violin at the age of six. However, he soon switched to the guitar, which became his primary instrument. He received his first guitar lessons from his father and later studied with Karl Scheit, a renowned Austrian guitarist. Ragossnig's talent and dedication to music were evident from an early age, and he quickly gained recognition as a promising young musician. In 1952, Ragossnig enrolled at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he studied guitar with Scheit and composition with Hanns Jelinek. He graduated with honors in 1956 and began his career as a concert guitarist. Ragossnig's performances were highly acclaimed, and he soon became a sought-after artist, performing in major concert halls across Europe and the United States. Ragossnig's repertoire was diverse, ranging from Renaissance and Baroque music to contemporary works. He was particularly interested in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and recorded several of his works, including the complete lute music. Ragossnig's interpretations of Bach's music were highly regarded for their technical precision and musical sensitivity. In addition to his career as a concert guitarist, Ragossnig was also a conductor and musicologist. He conducted several orchestras, including the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and was known for his interpretations of Baroque and Classical music. Ragossnig's expertise in musicology was evident in his numerous publications, which included books on the history of the guitar and the music of Bach. Ragossnig's contributions to the world of music were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1972, he was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recording of Bach's lute music. He was also awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1997 and the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg in 2003. Despite his success, Ragossnig remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to perform and record until his retirement in 2002, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional musicianship and scholarship. Ragossnig passed away on January 24, 2018, at the age of 85, but his contributions to the world of music continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians.

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