- Born: February 27, 1965 (age 57), Duisburg
- Spouse: Young Joo Zimmermann
- Albums: J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas, Vol. 1, Violin Sonatas
- Movies: The Soul of the Violin, Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Piano: BWV 1014-1019, Frank Peter Zimmermann – My Way to Bach
Frank Peter Zimmermann is a highly esteemed German violinist, known for his virtuosic technique and masterful interpretations of both classical and contemporary works. He was born on February 27, 1965, in Duisburg, Germany, into a musical family. His father was a conductor and his mother was a violinist.
Zimmermann began playing the violin at the age of five and was soon recognized as a prodigious talent. He studied at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen and later at the Juilliard School in New York, where he worked with Dorothy DeLay and Glenn Dicterow.
In 1983, Zimmermann won the Geneva International Music Competition, launching his career as a soloist. He quickly established himself as one of the leading violinists of his generation, performing with many of the world’s most renowned orchestras and conductors. His extensive discography includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Bruch, Sibelius, and many others.
Zimmermann has also been a champion of contemporary music, working closely with composers such as György Ligeti, Wolfgang Rihm, and Matthias Pintscher. He has premiered numerous works written specifically for him, including Rihm’s Gesungene Zeit and Pintscher’s Mar’eh.
Throughout his career, Zimmermann has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2002, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He has also been awarded the Rheingau Musik Preis and the Sibelius Prize.
In addition to his busy schedule as a soloist, Zimmermann is an active chamber musician. He frequently collaborates with other prominent musicians, including pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Heinrich Schiff.
Zimmermann plays on the “Lady Inchiquin” Stradivarius violin, which was made in 1711. The instrument was previously owned by the renowned violinist Nathan Milstein.
Despite his many accomplishments, Zimmermann remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the violin and inspire audiences around the world with his stunning performances.
Awards:
- 1980: Förderpreis des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen für Musik
- 1994: Big Kulturpreis der Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Rheinland
- 2002: Musikpreis der Stadt Duisburg
- 2008: Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse
- 2010: Paul-Hindemith-Preis der Stadt Hanau
- 2013: Jahrespreis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
- 2014: Echo Klassik in the category Instrumentalist of the Year (Violinist) for Paul Hindemith: Violin Sonatas & Concerto
