Anne-Sophie Mutter
Encyclopedia
Anne-Sophie Mutter is a German
violin
ist.
, Germany
. She began playing the piano
at age five, and shortly afterwards took up the violin
, studying with Erna Honigberger, a pupil of Carl Flesch
. After Honigberger's death she continued her studies with Aida Stucki at the Winterthur
Conservatory.
invited her to play with the Berlin Philharmonic: she made her public debut on stage in 1976 at the Lucerne Festival
, playing Mozart
’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major
. In 1977, she made her debut at the Salzburg Festival
and with the English Chamber Orchestra
under Daniel Barenboim
. At 15, Mutter made her first recording of the Mozart Third and Fifth violin concerti
with von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic.
In 1980, she made her American debut with the New York Philharmonic
under Zubin Mehta
. In 1985, at the age of 22, she was made an honorary fellow of the Royal Academy of Music
(London) and head of its faculty of international violin studies and in 1986 an honorary member. In 1988, she made a grand tour of Canada and the United States, playing for the first time at Carnegie Hall
. In 1998 she played and recorded for CD and DVD the complete set of Beethoven
's Violin Sonatas, accompanied by Lambert Orkis; these were broadcast on television in many countries.
's Sur le même accord, Krzysztof Penderecki
's Second Violin Concerto, Witold Lutoslawski
's Chain 2 and the orchestral version of Partita, and Wolfgang Rihm
's Gesungene Zeit ("Time Chant"), Lichtes Spiel, and Dyade. In August 2007, she premiered Sofia Gubaidulina
's Violin Concerto No. 2 "In tempus praesens." She has received various prizes, including several Grammys. She also owns two Stradivarius
violins (The Emiliani of 1703, and the Lord Dunn-Raven Stradivarius
of 1710) and a Regazzi
, dated 2005. After experimenting with a Menuhin-style shoulder rest, a little pillow, and a deer skin, Mutter has settled down to playing the violin with nothing between her and the violin. In addition, her need for the ideal traction with the violin has induced her to choose the same John Galliano
sleeveless dress during her performances.
In October 2006, on French television, Mutter appeared to indicate that she would be retiring when she turned 45, in 2008. However the following month she said that her words were "misinterpreted" and that she would continue to play as long as she felt she could "bring anything new, anything important, anything different to music".
in 2002.
On 21 August 2006, Mutter's office announced that she and Previn had divorced, although the couple were rumoured to have separated three months previously. They continue to work together.
:
On EMI Classics
:
On Erato
:
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist.
Early life
Mutter was born in RheinfeldenRheinfelden, Germany
Rheinfelden is a town in the district of Lörrach in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated on the right bank of the Rhine, across from Rheinfelden, Switzerland, and 15 km east of Basel...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. She began playing the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at age five, and shortly afterwards took up the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, studying with Erna Honigberger, a pupil of Carl Flesch
Carl Flesch
Carl Flesch was a violinist and teacher.Carl Flesch was born in Moson in Hungary in 1873. He began playing the violin at seven years of age. At 10, he was taken to Vienna, and began to study with Jakob Grün. At 17, he left for Paris, and joined the Paris Conservatoire...
. After Honigberger's death she continued her studies with Aida Stucki at the Winterthur
Winterthur
Winterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
Conservatory.
Career
After winning several prizes, she was exempted from school to dedicate herself to her art. When she was 13, conductor Herbert von KarajanHerbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor. To the wider world he was perhaps most famously associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was principal conductor for 35 years...
invited her to play with the Berlin Philharmonic: she made her public debut on stage in 1976 at the Lucerne Festival
Lucerne Festival
- History :The festival was founded in 1938 with a series of concerts in the gardens of Wagner's villa conducted by Arturo Toscanini, who had formed an orchestra with members of different orchestras and soloists for the concert...
, playing Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major
Violin Concerto No. 4 (Mozart)
Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major K. 218 was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775 in Salzburg. The autograph of the score is preserved in Biblioteka Jagiellońska, Kraków.- Structure :...
. In 1977, she made her debut at the Salzburg Festival
Salzburg Festival
The Salzburg Festival is a prominent festival of music and drama established in 1920. It is held each summer within the Austrian town of Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...
and with the English Chamber Orchestra
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
under Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim, KBE is an Argentinian-Israeli pianist and conductor. He has served as music director of several major symphonic and operatic orchestras and made numerous recordings....
. At 15, Mutter made her first recording of the Mozart Third and Fifth violin concerti
Violin Concerto No. 5 (Mozart)
The Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775, premiering during the holiday season that year in Salzburg. It follows the typical fast-slow-fast musical structure.- Background :...
with von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic.
In 1980, she made her American debut with the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
under Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
. In 1985, at the age of 22, she was made an honorary fellow of the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
(London) and head of its faculty of international violin studies and in 1986 an honorary member. In 1988, she made a grand tour of Canada and the United States, playing for the first time at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
. In 1998 she played and recorded for CD and DVD the complete set of Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's Violin Sonatas, accompanied by Lambert Orkis; these were broadcast on television in many countries.
Repertoire
Though her repertoire includes many classical works, Mutter is particularly known for her performances of contemporary music. A number of pieces have been specially written for or dedicated to her, including Henri DutilleuxHenri Dutilleux
Henri Dutilleux is one of the most important French composers of the second half of the 20th century, producing work in the tradition of Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, and Albert Roussel, but in a style distinctly his own...
's Sur le même accord, Krzysztof Penderecki
Krzysztof Penderecki
Krzysztof Penderecki , born November 23, 1933 in Dębica) is a Polish composer and conductor. His 1960 avant-garde Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima for string orchestra brought him to international attention, and this success was followed by acclaim for his choral St. Luke Passion. Both these...
's Second Violin Concerto, Witold Lutoslawski
Witold Lutoslawski
Witold Lutosławski was one of the major European composers of the 20th century, and one of the preeminent Polish musicians during his last three decades. During his lifetime, Lutosławski earned many international awards and prizes, including the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest...
's Chain 2 and the orchestral version of Partita, and Wolfgang Rihm
Wolfgang Rihm
Wolfgang Rihm is a German composer.Rihm is Head of the Institute of Modern Music at the Karlsruhe Conservatory of Music and has been composer in residence at the Lucerne Festival and the Salzburg Festival...
's Gesungene Zeit ("Time Chant"), Lichtes Spiel, and Dyade. In August 2007, she premiered Sofia Gubaidulina
Sofia Gubaidulina
Sofia Asgatovna Gubaidulina, is a Russian composer of half Russian, half Tatar ethnicity.Gubaidulina's music is marked by the use of unusual instrumental combinations...
's Violin Concerto No. 2 "In tempus praesens." She has received various prizes, including several Grammys. She also owns two Stradivarius
Stradivarius
The name Stradivarius is associated with violins built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari. According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or reproduce, though this belief is controversial...
violins (The Emiliani of 1703, and the Lord Dunn-Raven Stradivarius
Lord Dunn-Raven Stradivarius
The Lord Dunn-Raven Stradivarius of 1710 is an antique violin fabricated by luthier, Antonio Stradivari of Cremona . It is one of only 700 known extant Stradivari instruments. This violin is currently owned by violinist, Anne-Sophie Mutter. The Lord Dunn-Raven was fabricated during the Stradivari's...
of 1710) and a Regazzi
Roberto Regazzi
Roberto Regazzi is a notable contemporary violin maker and scholar who received his initiation in the craft from Otello Bignami...
, dated 2005. After experimenting with a Menuhin-style shoulder rest, a little pillow, and a deer skin, Mutter has settled down to playing the violin with nothing between her and the violin. In addition, her need for the ideal traction with the violin has induced her to choose the same John Galliano
John Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
sleeveless dress during her performances.
In October 2006, on French television, Mutter appeared to indicate that she would be retiring when she turned 45, in 2008. However the following month she said that her words were "misinterpreted" and that she would continue to play as long as she felt she could "bring anything new, anything important, anything different to music".
Personal life
In 1989, Mutter married her first husband, Detlef Wunderlich, with whom she had two children, Arabella and Richard. Wunderlich died of cancer in 1995. She married the pianist and conductor André PrevinAndré Previn
André George Previn, KBE is an American pianist, conductor, and composer. He is considered one of the most versatile musicians in the world, and is the winner of four Academy Awards for his film work and ten Grammy Awards for his recordings. -Early Life:Previn was born in...
in 2002.
On 21 August 2006, Mutter's office announced that she and Previn had divorced, although the couple were rumoured to have separated three months previously. They continue to work together.
Awards and recognition
- Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Chamber Music PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance has been awarded since 1959. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1959 to 1960 the award was known as Best Classical Performance - Chamber Music ...
: - Anne-Sophie Mutter and Lambert Orkis for BeethovenLudwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
: The Violin Sonatas (Nos. 1-3, Op. 12; Nos. 1-3, Op. 30; "Spring" Sonata) (2000Grammy Awards of 2000The 42nd Grammy Awards were held on February 23, 2000. During the show, Santana won 8 Grammys, tying Michael Jackson's record for most awards won in a single night. Santana's album Supernatural was awarded a total of nine awards....
) - Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with orchestra)Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with orchestra)The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance was awarded from 1959 to 2011. From 1967 to 1971 and in 1987 the award was combined with the award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance and awarded as the Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist or...
: - Anne-Sophie Mutter and André Previn (conductor) for Previn: Violin Concerto "Anne-Sophie"/Bernstein: Serenade (2005Grammy Awards of 2005The 47th Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were hosted by Queen Latifah , and televised in the United States by CBS. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year...
) - Anne-Sophie Mutter, Krzysztof PendereckiKrzysztof PendereckiKrzysztof Penderecki , born November 23, 1933 in Dębica) is a Polish composer and conductor. His 1960 avant-garde Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima for string orchestra brought him to international attention, and this success was followed by acclaim for his choral St. Luke Passion. Both these...
(conductor) and the London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
for Penderecki: Violin Concerto No. 2, Metamorphosen (1999Grammy Awards of 1999The 41st Grammy Awards were held on February 24, 1999. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1998. Lauryn Hill was the nights big winner winning a total of 5 awards including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Madonna won three awards while country musicians the Dixie...
) - Anne-Sophie Mutter, James LevineJames LevineJames Lawrence Levine is an American conductor and pianist. He is currently the music director of the Metropolitan Opera and former music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Levine's first performance conducting the Metropolitan Opera was on June 5, 1971, and as of May 2011 he has...
(conductor) and the Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago Symphony OrchestraThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
for Berg: Violin Concerto/Rihm: Time Chant (1994Grammy Awards of 1994The 36th Grammy Awards were held in 1994. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Whitney Houston is the Big Winner winning 3 awards including Record of the Year and Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year...
) - Sonning AwardLéonie Sonning Music PrizeThe Léonie Sonning Music Prize, or Sonning Award, which is recognized as Denmark's highest musical honor, is given annually to an international composer or musician. It was first awarded in 1959 to composer Igor Stravinsky...
(2001; DenmarkDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
) - Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, First Class
- Herbert von Karajan Music PrizeHerbert von Karajan Music PrizeThe Herbert von Karajan Music Prize, in German "Herbert von Karajan Musikpreis", is an annual award presented by the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden in honour of the celebrated 20th century Austrian conductor, Herbert von Karajan...
(2003) - Ordre des Arts et des LettresOrdre des Arts et des LettresThe Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
(2005) - Victoires de la Musique Classique (2006)
- Ernst von Siemens Music PrizeErnst von Siemens Music PrizeThe international Ernst von Siemens Music Prize is an annual music prize given by the Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste on behalf of the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung , established in 1972. The foundation was established by Ernst von Siemens...
(2008) - Doctor Honoris Causa from the Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyThe Norwegian University of Science and Technology , commonly known as NTNU, is located in Trondheim. NTNU is the second largest of the eight universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology...
(2010) - Gustav-Adolf Prize (2011)
Partial discography
On Deutsche GrammophonDeutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label which was the foundation of the future corporation to be known as PolyGram. It is now part of Universal Music Group since its acquisition and absorption of PolyGram in 1999, and it is also UMG's oldest active label...
:
- Mozart Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 5 (1978)
- Beethoven Triple Concerto (1980)
- Mendelssohn Violin Concerto/Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 (1981)
- Brahms Violin Concerto (1982)
- Brahms Double Concerto (1983)
- Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (1988)
- Lutosławski Partita & Chain 2/Stravinsky Violin Concerto (1988)
- Beethoven: The String Trios (1989)
- Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2/Moret En Rêve (1991)
- Berg Violin Concerto/Rihm Time Chant (1992)
- Carmen-Fantasie (1993)
- Romance (1995)
- Sibelius Violin Concerto (1995)
- The Berlin Recital (1996)
- Brahms Violin Concerto/Schumann Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra (1997)
- Penderecki Violin Concerto No. 2/Bartok Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 (1997)
- Beethoven The Violin Sonatas (1998)
- Vivaldi The Four Seasons (1999)
- Recital 2000 (2000)
- Lutosławski Partita for Violin and Orchestra/Chain 2 (2002)
- Beethoven Violin Concerto (2002)
- Tango Song and Dance (2003)
- Previn Violin Concerto/Bernstein Serenade (2003)
- Tchaikovsky & Korngold Violin Concertos (2004)
- Dutilleux Sur le même accord/Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2/Stravinsky Concerto en ré (2005)
- Mozart The Violin Concertos (2005)
- Mozart Piano Trios K502, K542, K548 (2006)
- Mozart The Violin Sonatas (August 2006)
- Simply Anne-Sophie (2006)
- Gubaidulina in tempus praesens (2008)
- Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (2009)
- Brahms Violin Sonatas (2010)
- Rihm: Lichtes Spiel; Currier: Time Machines (2011)
- The Complete Musician: Highlights (2011)
- Asm 35: The Complete Musician (2011)
On EMI Classics
EMI Classics
EMI Classics is a record label of EMI, formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases....
:
- Mozart Violin Concertos Nos. 2 & 4 (1982)
- Bach Violin Concertos/Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra (1983)
- Brahms Violin Sonatas (1983)
- Vivaldi The Four Seasons (1984)
- Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole/Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen (1985)
- Mozart Violin Concerto No. 1, Sinfonia Concertante (1991)
- Meditation: Vivaldi, Mozart, Massenet, Sarasate (1995)
On Erato
Erato Records
Erato Records is a record label founded in 1953 to promote French classical music. In 1992 it became part of Warner Bros. Records. In 1999 Erato launched a subsidiary Detour Records....
:
- Glazunov Violin Concerto/Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 (1989)