Frank Peter Zimmermann

Violin

Frank Peter Zimmermann is widely regarded as one of the leading violinists of his generation.  Praised for his selfless musicality, his brilliance and keen intelligence he has been performing with all major orchestras in the world for well over three decades, collaborating on these occasions with the world’s most renowned conductors. His many concert engagements take him to all important concert venues and international music festivals in Europe, the United States, Japan, South America and Australia.

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Frank Peter Zimmermann is widely regarded as one of the foremost violinists of his generation.  Praised for his selfless musicality, his brilliance and keen intelligence he has been performing with all major orchestras in the world for well over three decades, collaborating on these occasions with the world’s most renowned conductors. His many concert engagements take him to all important concert venues and international music festivals in Europe, the United States, Asia, South America and Australia.

Highlights during the 2019/20 season include engagements with the Berliner Philharmonier and Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, both conducted by Daniel Harding, the LaFil Filarmonica di Milano and Daniele Gatti, the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich and Christoph von Dohnanyi, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester and Alan Gilbert, the Orchestre de Paris and Lahav Shani, the Wiener Symphoniker and François-Xavier Roth, the Bamberger Symphoniker and Jakub Hrůša, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Susanna Mälkki and the Shanghai Symphony and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras, both conducted by Long Yu. He will continue his Beethoven Sonata cycle with Martin Helmchen with concerts in among others Brussels and Madrid, as well as at the festivals of Bad Kissingen, Rheingau and Schlewsig-Holstein. 

Together with viola player Antoine Tamestit and cellist Christian Poltéra he forms the Trio Zimmermann; the trio performs in all major music centres and festivals in Europe. BIS Records has released award-winning CD recordings of works for string trio by Beethoven (Op. 3, Op. 8 and Op. 9), Mozart (Divertimento KV 563), Schubert (Trio, D 471), Schoenberg (Trio, op. 45) and Hindemith (Trios 1 and 2). May 2019 saw the release of the recording of the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach. 

Mr. Zimmermann has given four world premieres: Magnus Lindberg’s violin concerto no. 2 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Jaap van Zweden (2015) with further performances with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, both under Daniel Harding and with the New York Philharmonic and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, both under Alan Gilbert. He also premiered the violin concerto “en sourdine” by Matthias Pintscher with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Peter Eötvös (2003), the violin concerto “The Lost Art of Letter Writing” by Brett Dean, who received the 2009 Grawemeyer Award for this composition, with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by the composer (2007) and the violin concerto no. 3 “Juggler in Paradise” by Augusta Read Thomas with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Andrey Boreyko (2009).

He received a number of special prizes and honours, among which the “Premio del Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena” (1990), the “Rheinischer Kulturpreis” (1994), the “Musikpreis” of the city of Duisburg (2002), the “Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse der Bundesrepublik Deutschland” (2008) and the “Paul-Hindemith-Preis der Stadt Hanau” (2010).

Over the years Frank Peter Zimmermann has built up an impressive discography for EMI Classics, Sony Classical, BIS Records, hänssler CLASSIC, Ondine, Decca, Teldec Classics and ECM Records. He has recorded virtually all major concerto repertoire, ranging from Bach to Ligeti, as well as recital repertoire. Many of these recordings have received prestigious awards and prizes worldwide. Most recent releases include violin concertos of J.S. Bach with the Berliner Barock Solisten (hänssler CLASSIC); the two violin concertos of Shostakovich with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester and Alan Gilbert (BIS Records) – this recording was nominated for a Grammy 2018 -; and the 5 violin concertos and Sinfonia Concertante of Mozart with the Kammerorchester des Symphonieorchesters des Bayerischen Rundfunks and Antoine Tamestit (hänssler CLASSIC).

Born in 1965 in Duisburg, Germany, Mr. Zimmermann started playing the violin when he was 5 years old, giving his first concert with orchestra at the age of 10. He studied with Valery Gradov, Saschko Gawriloff and Herman Krebbers. 

Mr. Zimmermann plays on the 1711 Antonio Stradivari violin “Lady Inchiquin”, which is kindly provided by the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, “Kunst im Landesbesitz”.

Representation

General Management: Nymus Artists
Germany: Michael Kocyan Artists Management
Spain: Duetto Management

Links & downloads

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Concerts

  • September 20, 2019, 7:00 pm
    Riga, Latvia
    Great Guild Hall
    Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor: Andris Poga
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    http://lnso.lv
  • September 27, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Bamberg, Germany
    Joseph-Keilberth-Saal, Konzerthalle Bamberg
    Bamberger Symphoniker
    Conductor: Jakub Hrůša
    Martinu – Violin Concerto No. 2, H. 293

    https://www.bamberger-symphoniker.de
  • September 29, 2019, 5:00 pm
    Bamberg, Germany
    Joseph-Keilberth-Saal, Konzerthalle Bamberg
    Bamberger Symphoniker
    Conductor: Jakub Hrůša
    Martinu – Violin Concerto No. 2, H. 293

    https://www.bamberger-symphoniker.de
  • September 30, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Erlangen, Germany
    Heinrich-Lades-Halle
    Bamberger Symphoniker
    Conductor: Jakub Hrůša
    Martinu – Violin Concerto No. 2, H. 293

    https://www.bamberger-symphoniker.de
  • October 2, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Bad Wörishofen, Germany
    Kursaal Bad Wörishofen
    Bamberger Symphoniker
    Conductor: Jakub Hrůša
    Martinu – Violin Concerto No. 2, H. 293

    https://www.bamberger-symphoniker.de
  • October 10, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Palma de Mallorca, Spain
    Auditorium de Palma
    Orquestra Simfònica Illes Balears
    Conductor: Pablo Mielgo
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://simfonicadebalears.com
  • October 17, 2019, 8:30 pm
    Torino, Italy
    Auditorium "Toscanini" della RAI - Torino
    RAI Torino
    Conductor: James Conlon
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    http://www.orchestrasinfonica.rai.it
  • October 18, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Torino, Italy
    Auditorium "Toscanini" della RAI - Torino
    RAI Torino
    Conductor: James Conlon
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    http://www.orchestrasinfonica.rai.it
  • October 25, 2019,

    LaFil Filarmonica di Milano
    Horn: Alessio Allegrini, Piano: Enrico Pace
    Brahms – Horn Trio, op. 40

    https://www.lafil.com
  • October 26, 2019, 8:00 pm

    LaFil Filarmonica di Milano
    Conductor: Danielle Gatti
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.lafil.com
  • November 8, 2019, 7:00 pm
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Berwaldhallen
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor: Daniel Harding
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.srso.se
  • November 9, 2019, 3:00 pm
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Berwaldhallen
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor: Daniel Harding
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.srso.se
  • November 13, 2019, 7:30 pm
    Zürich, Switzerland
    Tonhalle Maag
    Tonhalle Orchester Zürich
    Conductor: Christoph von Dohnanyi
    Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto in e minor, op. 64

    http://www.tonhalle-orchester.ch
  • November 14, 2019, 7:30 pm
    Zürich, Switzerland
    Tonhalle Maag
    Tonhalle Orchester Zürich
    Conductor: Christoph von Dohnanyi
    Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto in e minor, op. 64

    http://www.tonhalle-orchester.ch
  • November 16, 2019, 6:00 pm
    Freiburg, Germany
    Paulussaal
    Recital
    Piano: Martin Helmchen
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 'Frühling'
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 6 in A major, op. 30 no. 1
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 7 in c minor, op. 30 no. 2

    http://www.albert-konzerte.de
  • November 17, 2019, 5:00 pm
    Bern 31, Switzerland
    Zentrum Paul Klee
    Recital
    Piano: Martin Helmchen
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 'Frühling'
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 6 in A major, op. 30 no. 1
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 7 in c minor, op. 30 no. 2

    http://www.zpk.org
  • November 20, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
    Stadthalle Mülheim
    Recital
    Piano: Martin Helmchen
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 'Frühling'
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 6 in A major, op. 30 no. 1
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 7 in c minor, op. 30 no. 2

    https://www.klavierfestival.de
  • November 26, 2019, 7:30 pm
    Madrid, Spain
    Auditorio Nacional de Música
    Recital
    Piano: Martin Helmchen
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 'Frühling'
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 6 in A major, op. 30 no. 1
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 7 in c minor, op. 30 no. 2

    http://www.auditorionacional.mcu.es
  • November 27, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Brussels, Belgium
    Palais des Beaux-Arts | Palais voor Schone Kunsten
    Recital
    Piano: Martin Helmchen
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 'Frühling'
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 6 in A major, op. 30 no. 1
    Beethoven – Sonata for piano and violin no. 7 in c minor, op. 30 no. 2

    https://www.bozar.be
  • December 1, 2019, 6:00 pm
    Monte-Carlo, Monaco
    Salle Yakov Kreizberg - Auditorium Rainier III
    Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
    Conductor: Kazuki Yamada
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.opmc.mc
  • December 4, 2019, 7:30 pm
    Basel, Switzerland
    Theater Basel
    Sinfonieorchester Basel
    Conductor: Ivor Bolton
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch
  • December 6, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Lörrach, Germany
    Burghof Lörrach
    Sinfonieorchester Basel
    Conductor: Ivor Bolton
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch
  • December 14, 2019, 3:00 pm
    Antwerpen
    Koningin Elisabethzaal
    Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor: Elim Chan
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.antwerpsymphonyorchestra.be
  • December 15, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Brussels, Belgium
    Palais des Beaux-Arts | Palais voor Schone Kunsten
    Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor: Elim Chan
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.antwerpsymphonyorchestra.be
  • December 19, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Berlin, Germany
    Berliner Philharmonie
    Berliner Philharmoniker
    Conductor: Daniel Harding
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
  • December 20, 2019, 8:00 pm
    Berlin, Germany
    Berliner Philharmonie
    Berliner Philharmoniker
    Conductor: Daniel Harding
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
  • December 21, 2019, 7:00 pm
    Berlin, Germany
    Berliner Philharmonie
    Berliner Philharmoniker
    Conductor: Daniel Harding
    Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

    https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
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Reviews

“Hier, in diesem halsbrecherisch zarten Perpetuum mobile, zeigt auch Zimmermann wieder seine ganze Größe. Denn selbst im atemlosen Hauch findet…” →“Hier, in diesem halsbrecherisch zarten Perpetuum mobile, zeigt auch Zimmermann wieder seine ganze Größe. Denn selbst im atemlosen Hauch findet er noch Gelegenheit zur Gestaltung, zur melodischen und rhythmischen Gewichtung, zum Augenzwinkern und Charmieren.” ←
– Leipziger VZ, 25/05/2018
“Zimmermann père has recently been reunited with the ‘Lady Inchiquin’ Strad, and it’s an instrument whose entire range he is…” →“Zimmermann père has recently been reunited with the ‘Lady Inchiquin’ Strad, and it’s an instrument whose entire range he is able to imbue with the same lucid, balanced tonal quality. There is a sweetness to the high-flying lyricism in the slow movement of BWV1042, where Zimmermann floats the solo line, vibratoless, over the orchestra, lending the movement an almost other-worldly colouring. In the following Allegro assai finale he brings a deftness of touch and a lightly sprung, dance-like lilt; however, the finale of BWV1052R is more outwardly breathtaking, with its breakneck multiple-stopping and string-crossing.” ←
– The Strad, 28/03/2018
“…Frank Peter Zimmermann’s vividly recorded performances stand out as formidable achievements. They match technical mastery at the highest level with…” →“…Frank Peter Zimmermann’s vividly recorded performances stand out as formidable achievements. They match technical mastery at the highest level with profound insight. … Zimmermann’s stunning negotiation of the cadenza (…) moves inexorably from morbid introspection to one of the most visceral outpourings of anger and aggression in violin literature. The sheer firepower Zimmermann draws from his 1711 Stradivarius is electrifying both in the klezmer-inflected grotesque dance of the Scherzo and the breathless race to the finishing line in the Burleske.” ←
– BBC Music Magazine (Recording of the month, 01/03/2017
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“Er hat alles, was einen wirklich großen Künstler ausmacht, und das ist: Man bekommt, was man erwartet und ist gleichzeitig…” →“Er hat alles, was einen wirklich großen Künstler ausmacht, und das ist: Man bekommt, was man erwartet und ist gleichzeitig fasziniert, wie perfekt das Ergebnis alles Erwartete übertrifft, wie ein Künstler aus allseits Bekanntem wie Mozarts Violinkonzerten jenes Quantum Glück herauskitzelt, das man sich seit David Oistrakh so oft erhofft hat.” ←
– Süddeutsche Zeitung , 17/02/2015
“Throughout the performance the violinist was in full command of the piece’s sawing and darting passages. His tone, in the…” →“Throughout the performance the violinist was in full command of the piece’s sawing and darting passages. His tone, in the process, displayed a variety of colors, from dusky low notes to high phrases laced in silver. The second movement of the concerto is one of Bartók’s most beautiful passages. There, Zimmermann found the hints of yearning romanticism, unwinding the line with a singing tone that was answered with soft a blanket of sound by the BSO strings. The quicker section moved with a fittingly awkward, impish gate, and the third movement moved with an off-kilter lilt. The violinist’s gnarly runs, there, took on a fiery energy. Zimmermann’s blazing encore, Ernst Schliephake’s transcription of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5, put a finishing touch on a thoroughly dramatic performance.” ←
– Boston Classical Review, 14/10/2016