The founder of the Alban Berg Quartet died in a car accident on 24 April
The distinguished Austrian violinist and conductor Günter Pichler has died, following a car accident near Vienna on 24 April. He was 85 years old.
Born in Kufstein in Tyrol, Austria, Pichler studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. At the age of 18 he was appointed as concertmaster of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and at 21 he became the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic, chosen by Herbert von Karajan.
In 1970 Pichler founded the Alban Berg Quartet, which would go on to receive more than 30 international awards. The ensemble became both an honorary fellow at Vienna’s Konzerthaus and an associate artist at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The quartet performed at renowned venues including the Berlin Philharmonie, Milan’s La Scala, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Paris’s Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Vienna’s Musikverein and Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Following a final international tour, the quartet disbanded in July 2008.
Pichler taught at institutions including the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Cologne University of Music, Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia, as well as at academies such as Accademia Stauffer Cremona, Accademia Chighiana Siena, ProQuartet Paris and the McGill International String Quartet Academy in Montreal. He coached many notable ensembles, including the Amaryllis, Aron, Artemis, Belcea, Casals, Fauré, Fibonacci, Goldmund, Leonkoro, Piatti, and Schumann quartets.
Many colleagues and fellow musicians paid tribute to the violinist on social media, including the Casals Quartet:
‘We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Günter Pichler, an essential figure in the musical world and a profound source of inspiration for entire generations of string quartets.
‘His passion, dedication and contagious vitality will remain in our memories forever. Our most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.’
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