Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

November 19, 1933 in Berlin, Germany

Death

:

1991

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Vocal

 

Siegfried Behrend was a German classical guitarist and composer who was born on April 15, 1933, in Berlin, Germany. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Behrend began playing the guitar at the age of 12 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Behrend studied at the Berlin University of the Arts and later at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. He also studied with the renowned guitarist Andrés Segovia in Spain. Behrend's early performances were well-received, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented classical guitarists of his generation. In 1957, Behrend won first prize at the International Guitar Competition in Paris, which helped to launch his career. He went on to perform at major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Behrend was known for his virtuosic playing style and his ability to bring out the full range of emotions in his music. He was also a prolific composer, and many of his works have become staples of the classical guitar repertoire. One of Behrend's most famous performances was his rendition of Joaquín Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1960. The performance was widely praised and helped to cement Behrend's reputation as one of the greatest classical guitarists of his time. Behrend also collaborated with other musicians, including the German composer Hans Werner Henze, with whom he worked on several operas. He also recorded with the German jazz pianist and composer Friedrich Gulda. In addition to his performances and compositions, Behrend was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Berlin University of the Arts and later at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. Many of his students went on to become successful classical guitarists in their own right. Behrend received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Merit of Berlin and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was also awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recording of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." Behrend continued to perform and compose until his death on February 21, 1990, in Munich, Germany. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest classical guitarists of all time, and his music continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

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