Thomas Quasthoff
|
|
The German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff (born November 9, 1959) is generally regarded as one of the finest lieder singers of his generation.
Thomas Quasthoff records for Deutsche Grammophon and in 2001 won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance for his performance with Anne Sofie von Otter and the Berlin Philharmonic of Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn. He won the award again in 2004 for Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra with von Otter, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Claudio Abbado. Additionally, his recordings of Brahms, Liszt and Schubert songs with pianist Justus Zeyen were nominated for the in 2000 and 2001.
Quasthoff was born with serious birth defects caused by his mother's use of the morning sickness drug Thalidomide. Quasthoff was declined admission to the music conservatory in Hanover due to his physical inability to play the piano. He chose to study privately and in 2003, made his staged operatic debut in Beethoven's Fidelio.
External links
- Deutsche Grammophon website (http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/home.htms?CONTENT=artist/one.htms?ART_ID=QUATH)
- Quasthoff fansite (http://www.gopera.com/quasthoff/en/)
- Interview with Quasthoff in the Evening Standard (http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=25239)
- Biography at management website (http://www.cramermarderartists.com/quasthoff.htm)