Clemens Hellsberg (born 28 March 1952) is an Austrian
violinist
The following lists of violinists are available:
* List of classical violinists
* List of contemporary classical violinists
* List of jazz violinists
* List of popular music violinists
* List of Indian violinists
* List of Persian violinists
* Li ...
and from 1997 to 2014 was director of the
Wiener Philharmoniker.
Life
Born in Linz, after attending the
Schottengymnasium in Vienna, Hellsberg studied
musicology
Musicology is the academic, research-based study of music, as opposed to musical composition or performance. Musicology research combines and intersects with many fields, including psychology, sociology, acoustics, neurology, natural sciences, ...
and ancient history at the
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna (, ) is a public university, public research university in Vienna, Austria. Founded by Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria, Duke Rudolph IV in 1365, it is the oldest university in the German-speaking world and among the largest ...
, where he received his doctorate in 1980. At the same time he studied violin at the
University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. He was a special forces soldier, a member of the
Jagdkommando with the
Bundesheer. In 1976 he was employed by the orchestra of the
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera (, ) is a historic opera house and opera company based in Vienna, Austria. The 1,709-seat Renaissance Revival venue was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road. It was built from 1861 to 1869 following plans by ...
, and from 1978 played as first violinist in the orchestra of the same opera house. The Philharmonic recorded him in 1980. From 1997 to 2014 he succeeded
Werner Resel on the board of directors. In September 2014,
Andreas Großbauer succeeded him in this function. In 2016 he went into retirement.
Hellsberg also gained fame through his book ''Democracy of the Kings'', published in 1992. The
Austrian Green party published this history of the Vienna Philharmonic because of what they saw as omissions, from the official narrative, of elements of
Nazism
Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During Hitler's rise to power, it was fre ...
in the past of the Vienna Philharmonic.
He has been a member of the Catholic student fraternity of the since 1974.
Publications
* 1992: ''Demokratie der Könige: Die Geschichte der Wiener Philharmoniker''. Musikverlag Schott, Mainz 1992,
* 2015: ''Philharmonische Begegnungen 1: Die Welt der Wiener Philharmoniker als Mosaik''. Braumüller Verlag, Vienna 2015,
* 2016: ''Philharmonische Begegnungen 2: Die Welt der Wiener Philharmoniker als Mosaik''. Braumüller Verlag, Vienna 2016,
Honours
* 1999:
Komtur
Commander (; ; ; ; ), or Knight Commander, is a title of honor prevalent in chivalric orders and fraternal orders.
The title of Commander occurred in the medieval military orders, such as the Knights Hospitaller, for a member senior to a Knight. ...
des
Order of St. Gregory the Great.
* 2002: Berufstitel Professor
* 2011: .
* 2012:
Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal of the
Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien.
* 2013: .
* 2014:
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese honors system, Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge feat ...
.
* 2014:
Order pro ''Merito Melitensi''.
* 2015:
Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres.
''Überreichung der Insignen eines Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres an Clemens Hellsberg''
Article published on 1 July 2015, retrieved on 27 October 2019.
External links
*
Interview with Clemens Hellsberg
Clemens Hellsberg auf der Website der Wiener Philharmoniker
Discography
on ALLMUSIC
*
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hellsberg, Clemens
Austrian classical violinists
Players of the Vienna Philharmonic
Knights Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great
Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal recipients
Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun
Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
University of Vienna alumni
1952 births
Living people
Musicians from Linz
Cartellverband members