German violist Roland Glassl has been called the "New century's new talent (one of) the stars of the next decade," according to "The Strad" magazine headline. He first gained public recognition when he won the first prize at the 1997 Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition in England, where he was also awarded the Peter Schidlof Prize for the finalist with the most beautiful tone“. In addition to many national and international prizes, he was awarded first prize at the 1999 II. Viola Competition of the German Viola Society, top prize at the 1998 1st International Viola Competition Vienna, 2nd prize at the 1999 Primrose Viola Competition in Guelph/Canada and first prize at the 2000 Washington International Competition for strings. As result of these competitions he is giving concerts in Germany, Italy, USA, Canada and England, including his highly acclaimed recital at the Wigmore Hall in London.
As a chamber musician Mr. Glassl has collaborated with many leading artists, including Julia Fischer, Michael Sanderling, Miriam Fried, Walter Nothas, Atar Arad, Leon Fleischer, Michael Tree, Shigeo Neriki, Hariolf Schlichtig, the Henschel, Manfred, Danel and the Avalon String Quartet. He has also participated in leading festivals, including the Ravinia Festival, Chicago, Chamber Music International, Dallas, the Open Chamber Music Festival of the International Musicians Seminar (IMS) in Prussia Cove, England and the Caramoor International Music Festival, New York.
Roland Glassl was born in Germany, into a luthier's family with a tradition of many generations of violin making. His father made his viola and was also his first violin teacher. Later, Mr. Glassl continued his studies at the “Musikhochschule München” with Ana Chumachenco. Drawn to the deep, warm sound of the viola and its broad but unfamiliar repertoire, he decided to devote himself to this instrument and its music. After he received the artist diploma with distinction, he came to the United States to study viola with Atar Arad at Indiana University.
Since September 1999, Roland Glassl is violist in the “Mandelring Quartet”, which is based in Neustadt a.d.Weinstraße in Germany. In addition to his busy quartet schedule, Roland Glassl is also active as a Soloist in many recitals and as a teacher. Since 2004, he is professor for viola at the at the “Musikhochschule Frankfurt” as successor of Tabea Zimmermann.
