An artist known for his musical integrity, technical assurance and intelligent, compelling interpretations, <strong>Christian Tetzlaff</strong> is internationally recognized as one of the most important violinists of his generation.
From the outset of his career, Tetzlaff has performed and recorded a broad spectrum of the repertoire, ranging from Bach's unaccompanied sonatas and partitas to 19th century masterworks by Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Brahms; and from 20th century concertos by Bartok, Berg and Shostakovich to world premieres of contemporary works. Also a dedicated chamber musician, he frequently collaborates with distinguished artists including Leif Ove Andsnes, Lars Vogt and Alexander Lonquich and is the founder of the Tetzlaff Quartet, which he formed in 1994 with violinist Elisabeth Kufferath, violist Hanna Weinmeister and his sister, cellist Tanja Tetzlaff.
Tetzlaff has been in demand as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, establishing close artistic partnerships that are renewed season after season. Tetzlaff has performed with the orchestras of Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Toronto, among many others in North America, as well as with the major European ensembles including the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, Orchestre de Paris, Vienna Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.
Highlights of Tetzlaff's 12-13 season in North America include appearances with the New York Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh, New World and Montreal symphonies, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and a three-concert chamber music project at the 92nd St. Y in New York. European highlights include return visits to the Berlin and London Philharmonics, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris and the London Symphony.
Christian Tetzlaff was a 2010-11 Carnegie Hall Perspectives artist, an initiative in which musicians are invited to curate a personal concert series in Carnegie and Zankel Halls through collaborations with other musicians and ensembles. Tetzlaff's Perspectives included an appearance with the Boston Symphony during which he played concertos by Mozart, Bartok and the New York premiere of a new concerto by Harrison Birtwistle; a play/conduct performance with the Orchestra of St. Luke's; a performance with the Ensemble ACJW led by Sir Simon Rattle; a concert with the Tetzlaff Quartet; and a duo-recital with violinist Antje Weithaas. He also led a Professional Training Workshop for young violinists and pianists, culminating in a young artist concert.
Christian Tetzlaff makes his home near Frankfurt with his wife, a clarinetist with the Frankfurt Opera, and their three children. He currently performs on a violin modeled after a Guarneri del Gesu made by the German violin maker, Peter Greiner. In honor of his artistic achievements, Musical America named Tetzlaff "Instrumentalist of the Year" in 2005.