Accused violinist resigns from Leipzig Quartet
mainStefan Arzberger, who has been on bail in America for eight months since he was charged with attempted murder after an incident in a Manhattan hotel, has resigned from the Leipzig String Quartet.
A statement by the quartet said he had taken the decision because he was unsure he could return to Germany by the spring of 2016 and this was affecting the group’s touring plans and stability.
Official statement, released December 7, 2015:
Stefan Arzberger Resigns as Member of the Leipzig String Quartet
The prosecution of the case filed against Stefan Arzberger, first violinist of the Leipzig Quartet, continues to progress slowly. A timeline for a resolution of the process that began in the Manhattan Superior Court in April of 2015 is impossible to predict. His return to Germany by the Spring of 2016 is therefore very uncertain. For this reason, Stefan Arzberger withdraws as a member and stakeholder of the Leipzig String Quartet, enabling his colleagues to plan ahead and secure their futures and careers. Stefan Arzberger regrets that he is forced to make this difficult decision and looks forward to a speedy conclusion of the trial in New York so that he can both clear his name and continue his personal creative development. The Leipzig String Quartet will assume all of its future engagements and tasks with a modified line-up and remains committed to maintaining the high quality of the ensemble. We would like to thank all of our partners, event organizers and hosts, as well as our friends for their help and support during these difficult times and look forward with hope to a positive resolution to Stefan’s ongoing and uncertain case in the United States.
Stefan Arzberger
Leipzig String Quartett
New York Leipzig, December 4, 2015
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