International quartet mourns death of viola, aged 53

Friedemann 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.