Alois Kottmann (20 June 1929 – 4 December 2021) was a German violinist, music pedagogue, university professor and patron. He was based in Frankfurt, where he founded several ensembles, and taught at both the

Hoch Conservatory Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium – Musikakademie was founded in Frankfurt am Main on 22 September 1878. Through the generosity of Frankfurter Joseph Hoch, who bequeathed the Conservatory one million German gold marks in his testament, a school for ...

and the

Musikhochschule Frankfurt The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (german: Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main, italic=no, link=no, HfMDK) is a state Hochschule for music, theatre and dance in Frankfurt and is the only one of its k ...

. He founded concert series in the area, and a prize for young violinists.

Career

Kottmann was raised as one of three children of a silversmith. His mother was interested in music, and supported a musical education of her children. Advised by his music teacher, he took violin lessons with Marie-Louise Graef-Mönch, the assistant of

Alma Moodie Alma Mary Templeton Moodie (12 September 18987 March 1943) was an Australian violinist who established an excellent reputation in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. She was regarded as the foremost female violinist during the inter-war years, and s ...

, who taught him in the tradition of

Carl Flesch Carl Flesch (born Károly Flesch, 9 October 1873 – 14 November 1944) was a Hungarian violinist and teacher. Flesch’s compendium ''Scale System'' is a staple of violin pedagogy. Life and career Flesch was born in Moson (now part of Mosonmagy ...

. Even after graduation he received courses, some in the home of the Hölscher family where he befriended Gert Hölscher (1930–2010) and met the pianist

Günter Ludwig Günter Ludwig (born 1931) is a German pianist. Life and career Born in Großkrotzenburg, Ludwig attended the Musisches Gymnasium Frankfurt. He then studied piano with August Leopolder and Marguerite Long and conducting with Kurt Thomas. He ...

. At the

, he studied with Graef-Mönch, his former private teacher. During a university competition in Hamburg, Kottmann's playing was awarded. After his concert exam, he was first employed as violin teacher at the

Odenwaldschule The Odenwaldschule was a German school located in Heppenheim in the Odenwald. Founded in 1910, it was Germany's oldest '' Landerziehungsheim'', a private boarding school located in a rural setting. Edith and Paul Geheeb established it using ...

. He then taught at the

in Frankfurt from 1958. Later he also taught at the Musikhochschule Frankfurt, the University of Frankfurt, and at the

University of Mainz The Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (german: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) is a public research university in Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany, named after the printer Johannes Gutenberg since 1946. With approximately 32,000 stu ...

. From 1977 to 1979, he was acting director of the Hoch Conservatory.

''"Music is no aid for self-portrayal but instead a medium of communication among people."''
– Prof. h. c. Alois Kottmann (translated from German)

Kottmann formed artistic partnerships with

Albert Mangelsdorff Albert Mangelsdorff (September 5, 1928 – July 25, 2005) was a German jazz trombonist. Working mainly in free jazz, he was an innovator in multiphonics. Early life Mangelsdorff was born in Frankfurt on September 5, 1928, as the son of the book ...

, Karl Freitag,

Agnes Giebel Agnes Giebel (10 August 1921 – 24 April 2017) was a German classical soprano. She was born in Heerlen, in the Netherlands, where she lived the first years of her life. She studied at the Folkwangschule in Essen and made her first public appe ...

, Peter-Lukas Graf,

Ingo Goritzki Ingo Goritzki (born 22 February 1939 in Berlin, Germany) is a German oboist, pianist, and flautist.Rainer Hoffmann,

Alois Ickstadt Alois Ickstadt (born 22 September 1930) is a German pianist, choral conductor, university professor and composer. He was professor at the Musikhochschule Frankfurt. He promoted choral singing from children's choir to adult groups for the state b ...

, Maria Jäger-Jung, Marietta Krutisch, Gisela Sott, and Heinz Teuchert. He played a violin made by

Sanctus Seraphin Sanctus Seraphin (Udine 1699 – Venice 1776), also known as Santo Serafin, was a successful luthier (violin maker), working in Venice. He closed his ''bottega'' (workshop) in 1741 but he continued to work in the bottega of Giorgio Serafin, his nep ...

in Venice in 1730.

Later life and death

Kottmann was especially committed to fight for the continuity of an independent Hoch Conservatory which was under discussion to be merged several times. In later life, he remained involved in supporting musical culture in the Rhine-Main area, of international young talents, of composers from Frankfurt, and the Frankfurt-based violin tradition of Carl Flesch. He was strictly dedicated to

humanity Humanity most commonly refers to: * Humankind the total population of humans * Humanity (virtue) Humanity may also refer to: Literature * Humanity (journal), ''Humanity'' (journal), an academic journal that focuses on human rights * ''Humanity: A ...

and an artistic and social international exchange. Kottmann died on 4 December 2021, at the age of 92.

Initiatives

* 1968 – Founder of the string ensemble * 1980 – Co-founder of the concert series in Flörsheim * 1983 – Founder of International Days of Music Hesse Main-Taunus Hofheim in Hofheim * 1987 – Founder of the concert series in

Hanau Hanau () is a town in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, in Hesse, Germany. It is located 25 km east of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main and is part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region. Its Hanau Hauptbahnhof, station is a ...

* 1988 – Founder of the chamber orchestra Kottmann-Streicher * 2000 – Founder of Paul Hindemith Prize for Art and Humanity of the City of Hanau * 2001 – Founder and patron of the

Alois Kottmann Award The Alois Kottmann Award is an international prize for "classical, cantando violin playing". It honours outstanding international violinists. The competition takes place annually in May and/or June during International Days of Music Hesse Main-Tau ...

for a "singing" way to play violin, in connection with the city of Frankfurt

Radio & TV

In collaboration with the Figuralchor Frankfurt directed by

, the Collegium Instrumentale Alois Kottmann, and Kottmann as soloist participated in radio broadcasts for ARD. In 1985, Kottmann was involved in a TV production of

ZDF ZDF (, short for Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen; ; "Second German Television") is a German public-service television broadcaster based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. It is run as an independent nonprofit institution, which was founded by all fe ...

named ''Passion und Leidenschaft'', which also starred

Adalbert Kraus Adalbert Kraus (born 27 April 1937 in Aschaffenburg) is a German tenor in opera and concert, known for singing the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Career Adalbert Kraus first graduated in German studies, theology, and philosophy and in 1967, ...

and Ernst Gerold Schramm.

Overseas tour

Alois Kottmann gave guest performances with his string ensemble ''Collegium Instrumentale Alois Kottmann'' in United Kingdom, the United States, and in Mexico.

Honours

* Honorary professorship of the faculty of the arts of

Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (german: Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main, italic=no, link=no, HfMDK) is a state Hochschule for music, theatre and dance in Frankfurt and is the only one of its k ...

* (1999) * (2000) *

Hessian Order of Merit The Hessian Order of Merit (german: Hessischer Verdienstorden) is a civil order of merit, and the highest award of the German State of Hesse. The order was established 1 December 1989. Criteria The order is presented by the Minister-President of ...

(2002) *

German Federal Cross of Merit The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (german: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or , BVO) is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellect ...

(2006) * Badge of honor in gold from the city of

Hofheim am Taunus Hofheim (; officially known as Hofheim am Taunus) is the administrative centre of Main-Taunus-Kreis district, in the south of the German state of Hesse. Its population in September 2020 was 39,946. Geography Location The town is located on the so ...

(2014)

Publications

Discography

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard w ...

: ''Konzert a-Moll für Violine, Basso continuo und Streicher'', ''Konzert E-Dur für Violine, Basso continuo und Streicher'', ''Konzert d-Moll für zwei Violinen, Basso continuo und Streicher''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Boris Kottmann (vl), Basso continuo wird ausgeführt mit Theorbe. Melisma 7210-2, Oestrich-Winkel. * Albert Mangelsdorff: ''Denk ich an Bosnien für Posaune und Streicher''; ''Miniaturen für Violine und Posaune''; Richard Rudolf Klein: ''Kontradiktion für Violine, Posaune und Streicher'';

Paul Hindemith Paul Hindemith (; 16 November 189528 December 1963) was a German composer, music theorist, teacher, violist and conductor. He founded the Amar Quartet in 1921, touring extensively in Europe. As a composer, he became a major advocate of the ''Ne ...

: ''Sonate Nr. 2'' für Violine solo. Solisten: Albert Mangelsdorff (trb), Alois Kottmann (vl), Bruno Suys (kb). Melisma 7239-2, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions ...

: ''Die sieben letzten Worte des Erlösers am Kreuz''. Mit Zwischentexten von

Peter Härtling Peter Härtling (; 13 November 1933 – 10 July 2017) was a German writer, poet, publisher and journalist. He received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his major contribution to German literature. Biography Härtling wa ...

. Rezitation

Karlheinz Böhm Karlheinz Böhm (16 March 1928 – 29 May 2014) was an Austrian-German actor and philanthropist. He took part in 45 films and became well known in Austria and Germany for his role as Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria in the Sissi film trilogy a ...

. Melisma 7016-2, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Georg Friedrich Händel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Handel received his training ...

: ''Der Messias''. Ausführende: Sharon Markovich (Sopran).

Hildegard Laurich Hildegard Laurich (15 January 1941 – 11 February 2009), was a German classical contralto singer. Professional career Born in Halle, Laurich studied at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, in Berlin with Hermann Weissenborn, and in private study ...

(Alt),

(Tenor), Ernst Gerold Schramm (Bass), Figuralchor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Alois Ickstadt (Dirigent). Melisma 6046, Oestrich-Winkel. *

: ''Trauermusik'' für Violine und Streicher; Richard Rudolf Klein: ''Canto'' für Violine und Streicher;

Edvard Grieg Edvard Hagerup Grieg ( , ; 15 June 18434 September 1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the foremost Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide. His use of ...

: ''Aus Holbergs Zeit'' op. 40;

Edward Elgar Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet, (; 2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934) was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestr ...

: ''Serenade'' op. 20;

Samuel Barber Samuel Osmond Barber II (March 9, 1910 – January 23, 1981) was an American composer, pianist, conductor, baritone, and music educator, and one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. The music critic Donal Henahan said, "Proba ...

: ''Adagio for Strings''. Melisma 7098-2, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 18094 November 1847), born and widely known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions include sym ...

: ''Sinfonien Nr. 12 g-Moll und Nr. 9 c-Moll'' für Streichorchester. Melisma 7031-2, Oestrich-Winkel. * Joseph Haydn: ''Konzert C-Dur für Violine und Streichorchester''; ''Sinfonie Nr. 88 G-Dur Hob. I: 88''. Soloist: Alois Kottmann (vl). Melisma 7262, Oestrich-Winkel. * Joseph Haydn: ''Die Schöpfung''. Oratorium für Soli, Chor und Orchester. Solisten: Dorothea Wirtz (Sopran), Adalbert Kraus (Tenor), Ernst Gerold Schramm (Bass), Figuralchor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Bläser des

Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester The Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester ''(Frankfurt Opera House and Museum's Orchestra)'' is the resident orchestra of the Oper Frankfurt. Its somewhat peculiar name is derived from the series of "Museum Concerts", organized by the Frankfurte ...

s, Alois Ickstadt (Dirigent). Melisma 706, Oestrich-Winkel. * Johann Sebastian Bach: ''Kantate Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. BWV 147''; Joseph Haydn: ''Missa in d-Moll in angustiis Hob. XXII:11'' (''Messe in der Bedrängnis'', auch: ''Nelson-Messe''). Ausführende: Ulrike Sonntag (Sopran), Alison Browner (Alt), Adalbert Kraus (Tenor), Ernst Gerold Schramm (Bass), Figuralchor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Alois Ickstadt (Dirigent). Melisma 726, Oestrich-Winkel. * Johann Sebastian Bach: ''Johannes-Passion BWV 245''. Ausführende: Ulrike Sonntag (Sopran), Alison Browner (Alt), Adalbert Kraus (Tenor), Ernst Gerold Schramm (Bass), Figuralchor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Alois Ickstadt (Dirigent). Melisma 7058, Oestrich-Winkel. * Johann Sebastian Bach: ''Messe h-Moll BWV 232''. Ausführende: Ulrike Sonntag (Sopran), Alison Browner (Alt), Adalbert Kraus (Tenor), Ernst Gerold Schramm (Bass), Figuralchor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Dirigent: Alois Ickstadt. Melisma 7023-2, Oestrich-Winkel. * Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: ''Konzert d-Moll für Violine und Streicher''; Richard Rudolf Klein: ''Canto für Violine und Streicher''; Johanna Senfter: ''Konzert für zwei Violinen und Streichorchester c-Moll''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Boris Kottmann (vl). Melisma 7248-2, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Ernest Bloch Ernest Bloch (July 24, 1880 – July 15, 1959) was a Swiss-born American composer. Bloch was a preeminent artist in his day, and left a lasting legacy. He is recognized as one of the greatest Swiss composers in history. As well as producing music ...

: ''Suite 1''; Max Reger: ''Präludium und Fuge h-Moll op. 117/1'';

Eugène Ysaÿe Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe (; 16 July 185812 May 1931) was a Belgian virtuoso violinist, composer, and conductor. He was regarded as "The King of the Violin", or, as Nathan Milstein put it, the "tsar". Legend of the Ysaÿe violin Eugène Ysaÿe ...

: ''Sonate d-Moll (Ballade) op. 27 Nr. 3''; Igor Strawinsky: ''Élégie''; Johann Sebastian Bach: ''Sonate C-Dur BWV 1005''. Soloist: Alois Kottmann (vl). Melisma 7100-2, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 17565 December 1791), baptised as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition r ...

: ''Sinfonie A-Dur KV 201''. Soloist: Alois Kottmann (vl). Peter Härtling spricht Texte aus Hindemiths Bach-Rede aus dem Jahr 1950. Paul Hindemith: ''Trauermusik für Violine solo und Streicher''; ''Duette für zwei Violinen''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Boris Kottmann (vl); Johann Sebastian Bach: ''Chaconne aus der Partita d-Moll für Violine solo, BWV 1004''. Soloist: Alois Kottmann. Melisma 7099-2, Oestrich-Winkel. * Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Missa C-Dur KV 317 ''Krönungsmesse Regina coeli, KV 127''; Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: ''Herr Gott, du bist unsere Zuflucht / Um unsrer Sünden willen''; Joseph Rheinberger: '' Abendlied'', Op. 69/3''. Solisten: Ulrike Sonntag (Sopran), Alison Browner (Alt), Adalbert Kraus (Tenor), Ernst Gerold Schramm (Bass), Figuralchor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Alois Ickstadt (Dirigent). Melisma 7035, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Robert Schumann Robert Schumann (; 8 June 181029 July 1856) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career a ...

: ''Sonate a-Moll op. 105''; ''Sonate d-Moll op. 121''.

Clara Schumann Clara Josephine Schumann (; née Wieck; 13 September 1819 – 20 May 1896) was a German pianist, composer, and piano teacher. Regarded as one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era, she exerted her influence over the course of a ...

: ''Romanzen''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Günter Ludwig (p). Melisma 7101, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Johannes Brahms Johannes Brahms (; 7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the mid- Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, he spent much of his professional life in Vienna. He is sometimes grouped wit ...

: ''Sonate Nr. 1 G-Dur op. 78''; ''Sonate Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100''; ''Sonate Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Günter Ludwig (p). Melisma 7102, Oestrich-Winkel. *

César Franck César-Auguste Jean-Guillaume Hubert Franck (; 10 December 1822 – 8 November 1890) was a French Romantic composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher born in modern-day Belgium. He was born in Liège (which at the time of his birth was p ...

: ''Sonate A-Dur'';

Max Reger Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger (19 March 187311 May 1916) was a German composer, pianist, organist, conductor, and academic teacher. He worked as a concert pianist, as a musical director at the Paulinerkirche, Leipzig, Leipzig University ...

: ''Sonate Nr. 2 D-Dur op. 3''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Günter Ludwig (p). Melisma 7018, Oestrich-Winkel. *

Ferruccio Busoni Ferruccio Busoni (1 April 1866 – 27 July 1924) was an Italian composer, pianist, conductor, editor, writer, and teacher. His international career and reputation led him to work closely with many of the leading musicians, artists and literary ...

: ''Sonate Nr. 2 c-Moll op. 36a'';

Gabriel Fauré Gabriel Urbain Fauré (; 12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers ...

: ''Sonate Nr. 1 A-Dur op. 13'';

Olivier Messiaen Olivier Eugène Prosper Charles Messiaen (, ; ; 10 December 1908 – 27 April 1992) was a French composer, organist, and ornithologist who was one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex; harmonically ...

: ''Thème et variations''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl), Günter Ludwig (p). Melisma 7253, Oestrich-Winkel. * ''Gallus-Konzerte in der Barockkirche zu Flörsheim am Main''. Werke von Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Joseph Rheinberger u. a. Opus 27035. Cappella Wiesbaden 1989 * ''Gallus-Konzerte Flörsheim am Main''. Werke von Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,

Dietrich Buxtehude Dieterich Buxtehude (; ; born Diderik Hansen Buxtehude; c. 1637 – 9 May 1707) was a Danish organist and composer of the Baroque period, whose works are typical of the North German organ school. As a composer who worked in various vocal a ...

, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Haydn, Joseph Rheinberger u. a. Opus 27042. Cappella Wiesbaden 1990 * ''40 Jahre Collegium Instrumentale Alois Kottmann – Polyphonie''. Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: ''Violinkonzert d-Moll''; Richard Rudolf Klein: Canto für Violine und Streichorchester; Johanna Senfter: ''Konzert für 2 Violinen und Streichorchester c-Moll''. Solisten: Alois Kottmann (vl),

Boris Kottmann Boris may refer to: People * Boris (given name), a male given name *:''See'': List of people with given name Boris * Boris (surname) * Boris I of Bulgaria (died 907), the first Christian ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire, canonized after his d ...

(vl). Melisma 6735519, Oestrich-Winkel.

References

External links

Website of Alois Kottmann (English)
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kottmann, Alois 1929 births 2021 deaths German classical musicians German classical violinists Male classical violinists German male violinists Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts faculty Recipients of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 21st-century classical violinists 21st-century German male musicians Musicians from Hesse People from Hanau