German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff is calling an end to his singing career.
It’s always such mixed news: It’s wonderful when a performer anticipates when it’s time to go; but it’s sad that the time is over. He will continue to be a fine teacher and art song advocate.
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Mr. Quasthoff says, “After almost 40 years, I have decided to retire from concert life. My health no longer allows me to live up to the high standard that I have always set for my art and myself. I owe a lot to this wonderful profession and leave without a trace of bitterness.
On the contrary, I am looking forward to the new challenges that will now enter my life. I
would like to thank all my fellow musicians and colleagues, with whom I stood together on
stage, all the organizers, and my audience for their loyalty.”
Mr. Quasthoff will continue to devote himself intensively to the next generation of singers by
teaching, as before, at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin, as well as at
international master classes. He has dedicated himself intensely to the Lied genre for years.
This devotion inspired him to launch the “Das Lied” international song competition in 2009,
over which he will continue to preside as artistic director. In addition, he will be seen on stage
as a speaker, at readings, and in the new talk show series, “Thomas Quasthoffs
Nachtgespräche” at the Konzerthaus Berlin.
Here’s a clip of Quasthoff offering a Schubert masterclass:
John Terauds
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
