Description

JOACHIM RÖNTGEN (AMSTERDAM, 27 OCTOBER, 1906 – LAREN, 6 DECEMBER, 1989)

 

 

 

 

Joachim grew up in the large family home on the Van Eeghenstraat, where he received his first inspirational music lessons from his mother and later acquired a solid technical foundation with the violinist Felice Togni (of the Concertgebouw Orchestra).

Chamber music held the highest place in the Röntgen household, both in family circles and among the prominent international musicians who regularly visited, such as Pablo Casals, Donald Tovey, the German violinist Adolf Busch, and the Australian pianist Percy Grainger. Joachim began participating in these house concerts at the age of 12, often performing compositions by his father that had only recently been completed.

An important and particularly enjoyable part of Joachim’s musical upbringing took place during the summer months on the Danish island of Lolland. There, at the beautiful country estate ‘Fuglsang,’ belonging to family friends, the Neergaards, the Röntgens celebrated their holidays year after year. Tradition dictated that many musicians were among the guests, and daily concerts were held, in which Joachim and his brothers participated from a very early age.

In 1924, he studied at the Conservatory in Cologne with Eldering, who had previously worked in Amsterdam and was a close friend of Joachim’s father, Julius Röntgen. With his strong predilection for chamber music, Joachim became part of numerous ensembles and undertook many concert tours throughout Germany.

On 1 September 1928, he was appointed orchestra leader of the Musikkollegium, the Symphony Orchestra of Winterthur, conducted by Hermann Scherchen, whose personality greatly influenced Joachim’s development. He also became a teacher at the local music school and first violinist of the Winterthur String Quartet. This marked the beginning of a very busy period with numerous performances in Switzerland and abroad. During this time, he also collaborated regularly with the Romanian pianist Clara Haskil, to whom he remained close for the rest of his life.

From 1929 to 1934, he took lessons in Baden-Baden with the inspiring Hungarian violinist Carl Flesch, an excellent teacher who likely nurtured the pedagogic gift that Joachim would later demonstrate in his career.

In 1930, he married Annemarie Tütsch, a union that lasted nearly 60 years. In 1939, he accepted a teaching post at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, dedicating himself to teaching with great enthusiasm for many years. Despite the turbulent war years and the restrictions imposed upon him, Joachim continued his activities as a musician and educator.

He formed a piano trio with his brothers Johannes (piano) and Edvard (cello), known as the ‘Röntgen Trio,’ and in 1941 founded the ‘Röntgen String Quartet’ with Piet Nijland (second violin), Wim de Zoete (viola), and Cornelis Preuyt (cello). Many performances followed, both in Holland and on international tours to France, Italy, and Switzerland. In February–March 1947, the quartet toured the Dutch East Indies; in April–May 1949, the Antilles and Surinam; and during the 1950s, England on multiple occasions.

After the hectic period of public performances with the quartet gradually came to an end, Joachim remained active for some time as leader of the Rotterdams Kamerorkest (Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra) and the Haags Museum Kamerorkest (The Hague Museum Chamber Orchestra). He continued to devote himself to music, inspiring young musicians and surrounding himself with collaborators for as long as possible. Even at the Rosa Spier House in Laren, where he moved with his wife Annemarie in 1985, he remained engaged in music until his passing on 6 December 1989.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Joseph Haydn – String Quartet in D major, Op. 76 No. 5, Hob. III:79

1. Allegretto
2. Largo cantabile e mesto
3. Minuet – Trio
4. Finale – Presto

78 rpm, 30 cm: Elite Special 7033–7034

Matrix numbers: 3266-2; 3267-2; 3268-2; 3269-2

Recorded: July 1946

 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – String Quartet in B♭ major, KV 548 (“Jagdquartett”)

1. Allegro vivace assai
2. Menuetto, moderato
3. Adagio
4. Allegro assai

78 rpm, 30 cm: Elite Special 7035–7037
Matrix numbers: 3270-2; 3271-2; 3272-2; 3273-2; 3274-2; 3275-2
Recorded: July 1946