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. 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, who taught him in the tradition of Carl Flesch. 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. At the Musikhochschule Frankfurt, 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. 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. 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, Peter-Lukas Graf, Ingo Goritzki, Rainer Hoffmann, Alois Ickstadt, Maria Jäger-Jung, Marietta Krutisch, Gisela Sott, and Heinz Teuchert. He played a violin made by Sanctus Seraphin 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 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 city in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, in Hesse, Germany. It is 25 km east of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main and part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region. Its railway Hanau Hauptbahnhof, station is a ma ...

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

Radio & TV

In collaboration with the Figuralchor Frankfurt directed by Alois Ickstadt, 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 named ''Passion und Leidenschaft'', which also starred Adalbert Kraus 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 * (1999) * (2000) * Hessian Order of Merit (2002) * German Federal Cross of Merit (2006) * Badge of honor in gold from the city of Hofheim am Taunus (2014)

Publications

Discography

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (German: Help:IPA/Standard German, �joːhan zeˈbasti̯an baχ ( – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque music, Baroque period. He is known for his prolific output across a variety ...

: ''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 and American 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 advo ...

: ''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. Rezitation

Karlheinz Böhm Karlheinz Böhm (16 March 1928 – 29 May 2014) was a German-born Austrian 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 trilo ...

. 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 music, Baroque composer well-known for his opera#Baroque era, operas, oratorios, anthems, concerto grosso, concerti grossi, ...

: ''Der Messias''. Ausführende: Sharon Markovich (Sopran). Hildegard Laurich (Alt), Adalbert Kraus (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 leading Romantic music, Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwid ...

: ''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 (music), conductor, baritone, and music educator, and one of the most celebrated composers of the mid-20th century. Principally influenced ...

: ''Adagio for Strings''. Melisma 7098-2, Oestrich-Winkel. * Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: ''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 Museumsorchesters, 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. Several of his most no ...

: ''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". Early years Born in Liège, Ysaÿe began ...

: ''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 1756 – 5 December 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition and proficiency from an early age ...

: ''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 music critic of the early Romantic music, Romantic era. He composed in all the main musical genres of the time, writing for solo piano, voice and piano, chamber ...

: ''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 music, Romantic era, she exerted her influence o ...

: ''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, virtuoso pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period (music), Romantic period. His music is noted for its rhythmic vitality and freer treatment of dissonance, oft ...

: ''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 music, Romantic composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher born in present-day Belgium. He was born in Liège (which at the time of h ...

: ''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, a musical director at the Paulinerkirche, Leipzig, Leipzig University Chu ...

: ''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 ornithology, ornithologist. One of the major composers of the 20th-century classical music, 20th century, he was also an ou ...

: ''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, 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 (vl). Melisma 6735519, Oestrich-Winkel.

References

External links

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