International quartet mourns death of viola, aged 53
mainFriedemann Weigle, viola player of the Artemis Quartet and professor at the Hanns Eisler School of Music, Berlin, died at the weekend after a long illness.
A founder member of the Petersen Quartet, he joined the Artemis in 2007.
Our condolences to family and colleagues.
The Quartet have issued this statement:
For 30 years, Friedemann Weigle was one of the most important figures of the international string quartet scene and a passionate, devoted mentor. He was a founding member of the Petersen Quartett, of which he was the violist for twenty years. Friedemann Weigle had contributed to the distinctive sound and “beat” of the Artemis Quartett since 2007.
The Artemis Quartett has asked for time to mourn, reflect and regroup.
We will always remember the violist standing on the rightmost side of the stage, his feet firmly planted on the ground and his dark hair flowing with the music. Above all, the sound of his viola — so special and so moving — will remain with us for a very long time to come.
Very sad to hear!
In remembrance of Friedemann Weigle performing with the Artemis Quartet in Copenhagen this May, radiantly vivid and unmarked by illness.
It’s very sad indeed and we all mourn this great loss.
Please correct that Friedemann Weigle was not only teaching at the Hanns Eisler Musikhochschule but was an important professor of chamber music in the Artemis Quartet’s class at the Universität der Künste, where he led numerous courses, lessons and was greatly admired by his colleagues and students. It’s a sad day.
In remembrance of Friedemann Weigle performing with the Artemis Quartet in Copenhagen this May, radiant and unmarked by illness.
I’m sad to read this. I never heard him live, but from the recordings and videos I’ve seen he was a first class player and musician. Tragic when we lose someone so young. My condolences to his family and everyone whose lives he touched.
Deeply saddened to hear this news. I represented the Petersen Quartet for a number of years and Friedemann was a major contributor to their appeal and success. Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
It was only in February of this year that I learned of the death of Friedemann Weigle – a tragic loss to classical music performance. I first heard the Artemis at a Schubertiade in Austria and have been a fan ever since. My wife and I travelled to hear them in Paris two years ago and are due to catch them again towards the end of this month in Amsterdam. Our thoughts are with Professor Weigle’s family and the members of the Artemis.