Trampler, Walter

Trampler, Walter, eminent German-American violist and pedagogue; b. Munich, Aug. 25, 1915; d. Port Joli, Nova Scotia, Sept. 27, 1997. He received his early musical training from his father, and then was a student at the Munich Academy of Music (until 1934). In 1933 he made his debut as a violinist as soloist in the Beethoven Concerto in Munich, and in 1935 he made his first appearance as a violist in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in Berlin. From 1935 to 1938 he held the position of 1^stsolo violist with the Deutschlandsender orch. In 1939 he emigrated to the U.S., where he played in the Boston Sym. Orch. (1942-44) and the in the sym. and opera orch. at N.Y.’s City Center (1946-48). In 1947 he helped to found the New Music String Quartet, of which remained a member until 1956. He also made appearances with the Budapest, Juilliard, and Guarneri string quartets and with the Beaux Arts Trio. From 1969 to 1994 he was a member of the Chamber Music Soc. of Lincoln Center in N.Y. As a soloist, he appeared with major orchs. in the U.S. and abroad. He taught at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. (1962-72), the Peabody Cons. of Music in Baltimore (1968-70), the Yale Univ. School of Music (1970-72), Boston Univ. (1972-82), the New England Cons. of Music in Boston (1982-95), and the Mannes Coll. of Music in N.Y. (1993-97). Trampler was a master of his instrument who did much to create an audience for the viola. In addition to his performances of the standard works for his instrument, he showcased many contemporary scores. He also commissioned works by Berio and Bainbridge.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire