Julius Berger (cellist)

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Julius Berger (* 1954 in Augsburg ) is a German cellist and professor of chamber music and violoncello at the Leopold Mozart Center of the University of Augsburg .

biography

Berger studied at the Munich Music Academy with Walter Reichardt and Fritz Kiskalt, at the Mozarteum Salzburg with Antonio Janigro (he worked as his assistant from 1979 to 1982), at the University of Cincinnati (USA) with Zara Nelsova and on the occasion of a masterclass with Mstislaw Rostropovich . At the age of 28, Julius Berger was appointed to the Würzburg University of Music , making him one of the youngest professors in Germany. First in Würzburg, then later in Saarbrücken, Mainz and Augsburg, he promotes top young talent in his field. Since 1992 he has also been leading a class at the renowned International Summer Academy Mozarteum Salzburg .

Julius Berger dedicates a large part of his international concert and recording activities to rediscovering the complete works of Luigi Boccherini and Leonardo Leo as well as the oldest music written for the cello, the Ricercari by Pietro degli Antonii and Domenico Gabrielli . His performances and CD editions of the works for violoncello and piano by Paul Hindemith , the works of Ernst Bloch , Max Bruch , Richard Strauss , Robert Schumann and Edward Elgar are recognized worldwide.

Julius Berger also emerged through his commitment to contemporary compositions. International CD recordings of the works of John Cage , Toshio Hosokawa , Adriana Hölszky and Sofia Gubaidulina were made . Tours and concerts have musically connected him with personalities such as Leonard Bernstein , Eugen Jochum , Daniel Harding , Gidon Kremer , Paul Roczek, Margarita Höhenrieder , Siegfried Mauser , Jörg Demus , Norman Shetler , Pierre Laurent Aimard, Stefan Hussong , Olivier Messiaen , Sofia Gubaidulina, Wolfgang Rihm and Franghiz Ali-Zade. In addition, Julius Berger is artistic director of the Eckelshausen Music Days and the Asiago Festival (Italy).

As President he directs the International Violin Competition Leopold Mozart Augsburg and the International Instrumental Competition Markneukirchen . International jury work has led Julius Berger to competitions in Salzburg (Mozart), Kronberg (Casals), Markneukirchen, Munich and Warsaw, among others. Julius Berger has been a member of the Music Department of the Guardini Foundation Berlin since 1989, and a freely elected member of the Central Committee of German Catholics since 1997 . As an author, Julius Berger u. a. "Irritationskraft" (Hindemith-Jahrbuch 1992), "Unity in Diversity - Diversity in Unity" (research magazine of the University of Mainz, 1998), "Time and Eternity" (Festschrift Karl Cardinal Lehmann, 2001), "Wanderer there is no way … “(Life out of God's power, Annette Schavan , ed., 2004).

In 2009 Berger was elected a full member of the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz. Since October 1, 2010, Berger has been deputy head of the Leopold Mozart Center in Augsburg.

Julius Berger played one of the world's oldest cellos, made by Andrea Amati in 1566. It is referred to as “ King Charles IX. “Because it was originally built for this one.

Discography (selection)

  • Inspired by BACH (with Oliver Kern) . Works by Johann Sebastian Bach , Johannes X. Schachtner , Johannes Brahms , Ludwig van Beethoven and Max Reger
  • Inspired by MOZART (with Margarita Höhenrieder). Variations from Mozart's Magic Flute (op.66 and op.46), Great Sonata for Violoncello and Piano in E major, Op. 19, Sonata for Violoncello and Piano No. 3 in A major, Op. 69
  • Luigi Boccherini: Sonatas for Violoncello Vol. 1, 2 and 3. Some of the first recordings of Luigi Boccherini's Sonatas for Violoncello (new discoveries).
  • The Unkown Beethoven: Works for violoncello and piano. Ludwig van Beethoven: String Trio op.3 (arrangement from 1794) and works for mandolin and piano (arrangements by Julius Berger himself)
  • Giuseppe Tartini : Cello Concerto in A major and D major, Sinfonia pastorale, Symphony in D major. (with the South German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim )

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. member entry of Julius Berger at the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz , accessed on 10.11.17