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Heinrich Schiff

Heinrich Schiff

Born: 18th November 1951, Gmunden, Austria

Died: 23rd December 2016, Vienna, Austria

Nationality: Austrian

Born in Gmunden, Austria, on 18th November 1951, Schiff studied cello with André Navarra and Tobias Kühne and later conducting with Hans Swarowsky.

Though he was especially acclaimed in baroque and classical works (and was frequently very outspoken regarding the importance of historically-informed performance), Schiff's repertoire ranged from Bach to Lutoslawski and various contemporary composers (he inspired commissions and given premieres of works by composers including Friedrich Cerha, Friedrich Gulda, Hans Zender, Luciano Berio and Krzysztof Penderecki). Alongside his illustrious solo career, he was a passionate exponent of chamber music, collaborating regularly with the violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann, pianist and conductor André Previn and the Hagen Quartet, among others.

After suffering several strokes which compromised his playing abilities in the 1980s, he embarked upon a successful second career as a conductor, establishing long-term relationships with orchestras including the Northern Sinfonia, Copenhagen Philharmonic and Wiener Kammerorchester. In his later years, he also devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to teaching, with students including Natalie Clein, Jan Vogler and Gautier Capuçon.

He died in Vienna on 23rd December 2016.

Further Reading: Heinrich Schiff

Obituary, Heinrich Schiff (1951-2016)

The Austrian Cellist and Conductor has died at the age of 65.

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