Description

KARL KLINGLER (STRASBOURG (ALSACE), GERMANY/TODAY: FRANCE, DECEMBER 7, 1879 – MUNICH, MARCH 18, 1971)

 

 

 

 

Karl Klingler, born on December 7, 1879, in Strasbourg, was a renowned violinist, chamber musician, composer, and educator. He began violin lessons with his father, a violist and conservatory teacher, and gave his first concert at the age of five. In 1897, Klingler received a scholarship to study under Joseph Joachim at the Royal Academic University of Music in Berlin, where he also learned composition from Max Bruch and Robert Kahn.

In 1901, Klingler joined the Berlin Philharmonic as a violinist and concertmaster and began teaching at the Berlin University of Music in 1903. By 1910, he had become a professor, training notable students like Alice Schoenfeld and Shinichi Suzuki during his three-decade tenure. Klingler also gained international recognition as a chamber musician. He played with the Joachim Quartet until its dissolution in 1907 and later led the acclaimed Klingler Quartet, which performed widely until 1936.

Despite his success, Klingler faced challenges under the Nazi regime. His opposition to National Socialist policies, his marriage to Margarethe von Gwinner (classified as “half-Jewish”), and his refusal to dismiss the Jewish cellist Ernst Silberstein from his quartet led to increasing pressure. He retired in 1936 and spent World War II in “inner exile,” composing and studying mathematics.

After the war, Klingler attempted to revive his quartet but eventually focused on composing and editing chamber music. His contributions to the string quartet repertoire and his adherence to the artistic principles of his mentor Joachim earned him high regard. Klingler’s legacy is preserved through recordings, his pedagogical writings, and the Karl Klingler Foundation, which continues to support string quartet music. He passed away on March 18, 1971, in Munich at the age of 91.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Andante cantabile aus dem Duo für Violine und Viola; (K. V. 424) (Mozart) with with Fridolin Klingler (viola) EH 1031 2RA 1735 Electrola
2. Serenade in D-dur, Op. 77a  2. Satz Andante semplice con variazioni (Schluß) (Reger) with Fridolin Klingler (viola) and Gustav Scheck (flöte) EH 1029 2RA 1732 Electrola
3. Serenade in D-dur, Op. 77a 1. Satz Allegro (1. Teil) (Reger) with Fridolin Klingler (viola) and Gustav Scheck (flöte) EH 1029 2RA 1729 Electrola
4. Serenade in D-dur, Op. 77a 1. Satz Allegro (Schluß) (Reger) with Fridolin Klingler (viola) and Gustav Scheck (flöte) EH 1029 2RA 1730 Electrola
5. Serenade in D-dur, Op. 77a 2. Satz Andante semplice con variazioni (1. Teil) (Reger) with Fridolin Klingler (viola) and Gustav Scheck (flöte) EH 1029 2RA 1731 Electrola
6. Serenade in D-dur, Op. 77a 3. Satz Presto (Reger) with Fridolin Klingler (viola) and Gustav Scheck (flöte) EH 1029 2RA 1733 Electrola