Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

February 9, 1936 in Leipzig, Germany

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Max Pommer is a renowned German conductor and violinist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 13, 1936, in Leipzig, Germany, Pommer grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Pommer showed a keen interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of six. Pommer's musical education began at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied violin and conducting. He later continued his studies at the Dresden Conservatory, where he received his diploma in conducting. Pommer's early career was marked by his work as a violinist in various orchestras, including the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1973, Pommer was appointed the principal conductor of the Leipzig Chamber Orchestra, a position he held for over a decade. During his tenure, Pommer led the orchestra on numerous tours throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States, earning critical acclaim for his performances. He also recorded extensively with the orchestra, releasing over 50 albums of classical music. One of Pommer's most significant achievements as a conductor was his work with the Leipzig Bach Collegium. Founded in 1976, the ensemble was dedicated to performing the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Pommer served as the artistic director and conductor of the group, leading them in performances of Bach's cantatas, oratorios, and other works. The ensemble's recordings of Bach's music received widespread praise and helped to establish Pommer as one of the leading interpreters of the composer's work. In addition to his work with the Leipzig Chamber Orchestra and the Leipzig Bach Collegium, Pommer has conducted many other orchestras and ensembles throughout his career. He has worked with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, among others. He has also conducted at major music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh Festival, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Pommer's repertoire as a conductor is wide-ranging, encompassing works from the Baroque era to the 20th century. He has a particular affinity for the music of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, but has also conducted works by lesser-known composers, such as Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Franz Xaver Richter. Pommer is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of a piece of music. Throughout his career, Pommer has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1983, he was awarded the National Prize of East Germany for his work with the Leipzig Chamber Orchestra. He has also been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony. In 2016, he was awarded the Bach Medal by the city of Leipzig in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Today, at the age of 84, Pommer continues to be an active musician and conductor. He has served as the artistic director of the Leipzig Bach Festival since 2013, and he continues to conduct orchestras and ensembles around the world.

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