Born: July 31, 1952 - Siegen, Westfalen, Germany

The German conducto… Read Full Bio ↴Born: July 31, 1952 - Siegen, Westfalen, Germany

The German conductor and violinist, Reinhard Goebel, after leaving school, studied violin at the Cologne Conservatory with Franzjosef Maier, then with Saschko Gawriloff at the Folkwangschule in Essen, followed by an intensive course of study with Eduard Melkus and several years under the guidance of Marie Leonhardt. In addition, he studied musicology for several years at Cologne University.

In 1973, after pursuing musicology studies for several years at Cologne University, Reinhard Goebel founded the instrumental ensemble Musica Antiqua Köln, initially made up of fellow students from the Cologne Conservatory. It was here that he laid the foundations of his immense knowledge of early music, a knowledge that is amply reflected in his ensemble's concerts and recordings. Since that time, he has performed with the ensemble as both solo violinist and director, and has established himself as one of the leading exponents of Baroque historical performance practice. Actually, Reinhard Goebel and Musica Antiqua Köln have played an unprecedented role in increasing general awareness and knowledge of Baroque music. In 1979, the ensemble gained an international reputation with its debut at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall during the annual English Bach Festival. After unexplained paralysis struck his right hand, Goebel abandoned his career as a solo violinist, although he continued to play with his group, bowing the violin with his left hand.

Reinhard Goebel has an extensive discography for Archiv Produktion and has helped revive interest in the music of several previously under-performed German composers of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as Heinichen, Schmelzer, Biber, and members of the Bach family. His recordings have won numerous awards: the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis in 1981 and 1982 (for chamber concertos by Telemann and German Chamber Music Before Bach, respectively); the Grand Prix International du Disque in 1987 (for The Bach Family Before Johann Sebastian); the Grand Prix National du Disque in 1984 (for Couperin's Les Nations); the Gramophone Award in 1984 (for chamber music by J.S. Bach); and the CD Compact Award in 1990 (for Telemann's Tafelmusik). Goebel's recording of Heinichen's Dresden Concerti won five important awards: the Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik in 1993, the Gramophone Award in 1993, the Prix Caecilia in 1993, the Schallplattenpreis Echo-Klassik in 1994, and the CD Compact Award in 1994.

Source: Aaron Concert Artista Website; All Music Guide Website (by Robert Adelson)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (June 2001)