German violinist, music pedagogue, university professor, and patron (1929–2021)
Musical artist
Alois Kottmann (20 June 1929 – 4 December 2021) was a German violinist, music pedagogue, university professor and patron. He was based in Frankfurt, where he founded several ensembles, and taught at both the Hoch Conservatory and the Musikhochschule Frankfurt. He founded concert series in the area, and a prize for young violinists.
Career
Kottmann was raised as one of three children of a silversmith.[1] His mother was interested in music, and supported a musical education of her children.[1] Advised by his music teacher, he took violin lessons[2] with Marie-Louise Graef-Mönch, the assistant of Alma Moodie, who taught him in the tradition of Carl Flesch.[2] Even after graduation he received courses, some in the home of the Hölscher family where he befriended Gert Hölscher (1930–2010) and met the pianist Günter Ludwig. At the Musikhochschule Frankfurt, he studied with Graef-Mönch, his former private teacher.
During a university competition in Hamburg, Kottmann's playing was awarded. After his concert exam, he was first employed as violin teacher at the Odenwaldschule. He then taught at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt from 1958. Later he also taught at the Musikhochschule Frankfurt, the University of Frankfurt, and at the University of Mainz. From 1977 to 1979, he was acting director of the Hoch Conservatory.[3]
"Music is no aid for self-portrayal but instead a medium of communication among people."
– Prof. h. c. Alois Kottmann (translated from German)[4]
Kottmann formed artistic partnerships with Albert Mangelsdorff, Karl Freitag, Agnes Giebel, Peter-Lukas Graf, Ingo Goritzki, Rainer Hoffmann, Alois Ickstadt, Maria Jäger-Jung, Marietta Krutisch, Gisela Sott, and Heinz Teuchert.[5][6][7]
He played a violin made by Sanctus Seraphin in Venice in 1730.[7]
Later life and death
Kottmann was especially committed to fight for the continuity of an independent Hoch Conservatory which was under discussion to be merged several times. In later life, he remained involved in supporting musical culture in the Rhine-Main area, of international young talents, of composers from Frankfurt, and the Frankfurt-based violin tradition of Carl Flesch. He was strictly dedicated to humanity and an artistic and social international exchange.[4]
Kottmann died on 4 December 2021, at the age of 92.[8][7]
Initiatives
Radio & TV
In collaboration with the Figuralchor Frankfurt directed by Alois Ickstadt, the Collegium Instrumentale Alois Kottmann, and Kottmann as soloist participated in radio broadcasts for ARD.[20] In 1985, Kottmann was involved in a TV production of ZDF named Passion und Leidenschaft, which also starred Adalbert Kraus and Ernst Gerold Schramm.[9][21]
Overseas tour
Alois Kottmann gave guest performances with his string ensemble Collegium Instrumentale Alois Kottmann in United Kingdom, the United States, and in Mexico.[22]
