Anton Steck: violin
Baroque violinist Anton Steck is a highly regarded soloist, recognized as a
leader in his area of specialization and well-known in international circles. His
reputation has long been established as an outstanding interpreter who combines
expressive intensity and technical perfection, which result in passionate
performances of his hosen repertoire.
Beginning with the study of the modern violin with Jörg-Wolfgang Jahn in
Karlsruhe, Anton Steck commenced a new phase in his musical development
when he took up the baroque violin and furthered his studies with Reinhard
Goebel, the director of the prominent ensemble „Musica Antiqua Köln.“
During this time, Anton Steck was asked to serve as concertmaster of “Musica
Antiqua Köln.” Subsequently he was asked to take on the same position
with the celebrated orchestra “Les Musiciens du Louvre” (Marc Minkowski)
and in 2005 with „Concerto Köln“. His work with these ensembles provided the
impetus for the start of an international career, which has included numerous
concerts as a soloist and over 40 CD productions. Several of Anton Steck’s
solo productions have been honoured with important awards. Since more
than ten years he also works as a conductor of both – modern and periodinstrument
orchestras. In 2004 he conducted his first opera at the festival in
Ludwigsburg.
Nonetheless, Anton Steck’s primary concern remains the performance of
virtuosic violin literature, which continues to inspire and challenge him in his
role as a specialist in the baroque violin. In technique, repertoire and style,
Anton Steck reaches far beyond what is normally expected from his instrument
and the music of this era. The compositions in his programs reach to
the modernization of the violin, several of Anton Steck’s solo productions –
together with harpsichordist Christian Rieger – have been honoured with important
awards. In 2007 he recorded Mozart sonatas with Marieke Spaans,
using for the first time an original Tangent Piano.
In 1996 Anton Steck formed the Schuppanzigh Quartet, one of the few string
quartets, which play on period instruments. In addition to the performance
of the Viennese quartet repertoire, the Schuppanzigh Quartet is committed
to rediscovering the works of little known composers. Combining technical
perfection with spirited musicality and vibrant expressiveness, the quartet
never fails to delight their audience in performance.
In 2000 Anton Steck was appointed Professor of Baroque Violin at the Music
Conservatory in Trossingen where he passes on his knowledge and experience
to the next generation of young musicians.