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Rudolf Werthen

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Rudolf Werthen is a Belgian violinist, conductor and teacher. He was born in Mechelen and was taught by André Gertler and Henryk Szeryng. In 1971 he was a laureate, with seventh prize for violin, of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. In 1985 he sat on its jury himself. Since 1975 he has taught at the Royal Conservatoire of Ghent.

Music and breakthrough

Werthen is the founder and artistic director of the orchestra I Fiamminghi. In 1989 he was principal conductor of the symphony orchestra of the Flemish Opera. With I Fiamminghi he recorded, among other things, Le quattro stagioni in 1986, and cello concertos in 1987 and 1994, as well as the album Fratres. His discography runs from 1981 to 2006 and is broad: it contains music by the Latvian composer Peteris Vasks, by Takemitsu and by contemporary composers, and also Tango - La elegia de quienes ya no estan from 1999. That shows that he did not restrict himself to the standard repertoire but also performed new and lesser-known music.

Influence

His significance lies in his work as an orchestra leader and teacher in Flanders. He belongs to the conductors who brought the repertoire of the twentieth century and contemporary music to the concert hall and the record.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a recording by I Fiamminghi under Werthen, for example Fratres. Notice how long the sounds of the strings are sustained and how slowly the music changes.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists