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'''Walter Blankenheim''' (30 August 1926 – 11 March 2007) was a German pianist and teacher. He studied at the [[Musikhochschule Stuttgart]] (1946–1954) with Jürgen Uhde and [[Vladimir Horbowski]] and later in [[Paris]] with [[Marguerite Long]]. Further studies included courses with [[Geza Anda]] and [[Wilhelm Kempff]]. He won prizes in a number of competitions, including: Vercelli 1952 (2nd Prize), München - ARD 1952 and 1953 (Diplomas), Paris 1953 (Diploma), Casella 1954 (1st Prize). He was renowned for his interpretations of [[W. A. Mozart]] und [[J. S. Bach]], and he toured extensively as a recitalist and concerto soloist for over 50 years, performing in [[West Europe]], [[Russia]], the near and far East, [[USA]] and [[Latin America]]. He recorded works from the [[Baroque]] to the [[20th Century]] with different radio stations, such as Saarland Radio ([[Saarländischer Rundfunk]]) in [[Germany]]. Recently, his recording (such as the 1996 recording of the Six [[Partitas]] BWV 825–830 are being re-released. Walter Blankenheim had an active teaching career, being a professor of piano at the [[Hochschule für Musik Saar]] (Conservatorium of Music in Saarbrücken), while his masterclasses on Bach interpretation took him to a number of countries. He was also frequently invited to be on the jury of piano competitions. [[File:Walter Blankenheim conducting.jpg|410px|thumb|Walter Blankenheim conducting]]
'''Walter Blankenheim''' (30 August 1926 – 11 March 2007) was a German pianist and teacher. He is remembered for his performances of the music of [[W. A. Mozart]] and [[J. S. Bach]], and his pedagogical activity, in particular his courses devoted to Bach Interpretation. He was the founder of the [[International Piano Competition “Johann Sebastian Bach” Würzburg / Germany]] (formerly Saarbrücken) Germany, the largest Bach Piano Competition in the World, and the only International Bach Competition where the repertoire consists of only the works of [[J. S. Bach]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wettstreit der Pianisten in Würzburg|url=https://www.mainpost.de/ueberregional/kulturwelt/kultur/Wettstreit-der-Pianisten-in-Wuerzburg;art3809,3936126|accessdate=14 June 2016|agency=MAIN POST|publisher=MAIN POST|date=24 March 2007}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|last1=PPREISSNER|first1=KATJA|title=Bach-Spiel ohne Schallmauer|url=http://saarland.sz-sb.de/Elias/|accessdate=14 June 2016|agency=Saarbrücker Zeitung|issue=NR. 157 MONTAG, 10. JULY 2000|publisher=Saarbrücker Zeitung|date=10 July 2000}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Im Fernen Osten ist Bach besonders beliebt|url=http://saarland.sz-sb.de/Elias/|accessdate=14 June 2016|agency=Saarbrücker Zeitung|publisher=Saarbrücker Zeitung|date=26 February 2004}}</ref> [[File:Walter Blankenheim conducting.jpg|410px|thumb|Walter Blankenheim conducting]]


Walter Blankenheim studied at the [[Musikhochschule Stuttgart]] (1946–1954) with Jürgen Uhde and [[Vladimir Horbowski]] and later in [[Paris]] with [[Marguerite Long]]. Further studies included courses with [[Geza Anda]] and [[Wilhelm Kempff]]. He won prizes in a number of competitions, including: Vercelli 1952 (2nd Prize), München - ARD 1952 and 1953 (Diplomas), Paris 1953 (Diploma), Casella 1954 (1st Prize).

He was renowned for his interpretations of [[W. A. Mozart]] und [[J. S. Bach]], and he toured extensively as a recitalist and concerto soloist for over 50 years, performing in [[West Europe]], [[Russia]], the near and far East, [[USA]] and [[Latin America]]. He recorded works from the [[Baroque]] to the [[20th Century]] with different radio stations, such as the recording with Saarland Radio ([[Saarländischer Rundfunk]]) in [[Germany]] of the Six [[Partitas]] ([[ Clavier-Übung]] I I, [[BWV]] 825–830) in Dezember 1996. Some of these radio recordings are now being released on CD.

Walter Blankenheim was also active as a teacher, being a professor of piano at the [[Hochschule für Musik Saar]] (Conservatorium of Music in Saarbrücken). His masterclasses on Bach interpretation took him to a number of countries. He was also frequently invited to be on the jury of piano competitions.
== Contribution ==
== Contribution ==


In 1990, he founded the [[International Piano Competition “Johann Sebastian Bach” Würzburg / Germany]]. The competition took place for the first time in 1992, and was initially held in [[Saarbrücken]], [[Germany]], (it is now held in [[Würzburg]], [[Germany]]).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Alink|first1=Gustav|title=Walter Blankenheim passed away|url=http://www.alink-argerich.org/news?category=none&name=none&concoursname=6914&concourscity=none|website=Alink-Argerich Foundation|accessdate=14 June 2016}}</ref> It has been held every three years since Over the last 24 years, 771 Pianists from a total of 58 Countries registered to a total of 9 Competitions (the 9th Competition was held in March 2016). It is considered the largest Bach Piano Competition in the World, and the only International Bach Competition where the repertoire consists of only the works of J. S. Bach.
Well known in his time for his interpretations of the music of [[W. A. Mozart]] and [[J. S. Bach]], and his pedagogical activity (in particular his courses devoted to Bach Interpretation), he is now remembered as the founder of the [[International Piano Competition “Johann Sebastian Bach” Würzburg / Germany]] (formerly Saarbrücken) Germany. The competition was founded in 1990 and took place for the first time in 1992. It was initially held in [[Saarbrücken]], [[Germany]], (it is now held in [[Würzburg]], [[Germany]]).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Alink|first1=Gustav|title=Walter Blankenheim passed away|url=http://www.alink-argerich.org/news?category=none&name=none&concoursname=6914&concourscity=none|website=Alink-Argerich Foundation|accessdate=14 June 2016}}</ref> The competition has been held every three years since, and with 771 Pianists from a total of 58 Countries registering to a total of 9 Competitions (the 9th Competition was held in March 2016), it is considered the largest Bach Piano Competition in the World, and the only International Bach Competition where the repertoire consists of only the works of [[J. S. Bach]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wettstreit der Pianisten in Würzburg|url=https://www.mainpost.de/ueberregional/kulturwelt/kultur/Wettstreit-der-Pianisten-in-Wuerzburg;art3809,3936126|accessdate=14 June 2016|agency=MAIN POST|publisher=MAIN POST|date=24 March 2007}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|last1=PPREISSNER|first1=KATJA|title=Bach-Spiel ohne Schallmauer|url=http://saarland.sz-sb.de/Elias/|accessdate=14 June 2016|agency=Saarbrücker Zeitung|issue=NR. 157 MONTAG, 10. JULY 2000|publisher=Saarbrücker Zeitung|date=10 July 2000}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Im Fernen Osten ist Bach besonders beliebt|url=http://saarland.sz-sb.de/Elias/|accessdate=14 June 2016|agency=Saarbrücker Zeitung|publisher=Saarbrücker Zeitung|date=26 February 2004}}</ref>

His greatest contribution is perhaps the development of a system of interpreting Bach’s keyboard works on the modern [[piano]], processing the neutral [[Urtext edition|Urtext]] of the works in order to help the performer understand and convey parameters such as tempo, structure, articulation, ornaments, dynamics as well as the architecture of the work. The dynamic flexibility of the modern piano is used to demonstrate terraced dynamics as well as support melodic lines by shaping them dynamically – what is heard by the audience as a "living structure" between "energy and relaxation".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Anderson|first1=Richard Paul|title=The Pianist's Craft Mastering the works of Great Composers|date=2012|publisher=The Scarecrow Press, INC|location=Plymouth, UK|isbn=978-0-8108-8205-8|pages=13-15|accessdate=14 June 2016}}</ref> Walter Blankenheim wrote an essay exploring these ideas, titled: "Problems and Chances in the interpretation of [[J. S. Bach]]’s keyboard works on the modern piano"<ref>Vorwort zu den Bachtagen, Saarland 1997</ref>

These ideas are at the foundation of an edition of the keyboard works of [[J. S. Bach]], that Walter Blankenheim and his colleague Prof. Inge Rosar prepared over the course of more than 30 years. This performance edition—encompassing almost all of [[J. S. Bach]]’s keyboard works—attempts to answer the main questions that arise in the preparation of these works for performance, and offer some guidance to performers that do not specialise in this repertoire. Added ornaments and figurations for repeats are also notated.


His contribution to Bach interpretation was the development of a system of interpreting Bach’s keyboard works on the modern [[piano]], processing the neutral [[Urtext edition|Urtext]] of the works in order to help the performer understand and convey parameters such as tempo, structure, articulation, ornaments, dynamics as well as the architecture of the work, portraying a "living structure" and a balance between "energy and relaxation".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Anderson|first1=Richard Paul|title=The Pianist's Craft Mastering the works of Great Composers|date=2012|publisher=The Scarecrow Press, INC|location=Plymouth, UK|isbn=978-0-8108-8205-8|pages=13-15|accessdate=14 June 2016}}</ref> Walter Blankenheim wrote an essay exploring these ideas, titled: "Problems and Chances in the interpretation of [[J. S. Bach]]’s keyboard works on the modern piano"<ref>Vorwort zu den Bachtagen, Saarland 1997</ref>
Walter Blankenheim's work is continued by Prof. Inge Rosar, who has taken on the artistic and administrative directorship of the International Competition from 2007.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:19, 14 June 2016

Walter Blankenheim (30 August 1926 – 11 March 2007) was a German pianist and teacher. He studied at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart (1946–1954) with Jürgen Uhde and Vladimir Horbowski and later in Paris with Marguerite Long. Further studies included courses with Geza Anda and Wilhelm Kempff. He won prizes in a number of competitions, including: Vercelli 1952 (2nd Prize), München - ARD 1952 and 1953 (Diplomas), Paris 1953 (Diploma), Casella 1954 (1st Prize). He was renowned for his interpretations of W. A. Mozart und J. S. Bach, and he toured extensively as a recitalist and concerto soloist for over 50 years, performing in West Europe, Russia, the near and far East, USA and Latin America. He recorded works from the Baroque to the 20th Century with different radio stations, such as Saarland Radio (Saarländischer Rundfunk) in Germany. Recently, his recording (such as the 1996 recording of the Six Partitas BWV 825–830 are being re-released. Walter Blankenheim had an active teaching career, being a professor of piano at the Hochschule für Musik Saar (Conservatorium of Music in Saarbrücken), while his masterclasses on Bach interpretation took him to a number of countries. He was also frequently invited to be on the jury of piano competitions.

Walter Blankenheim conducting

Contribution

Well known in his time for his interpretations of the music of W. A. Mozart and J. S. Bach, and his pedagogical activity (in particular his courses devoted to Bach Interpretation), he is now remembered as the founder of the International Piano Competition “Johann Sebastian Bach” Würzburg / Germany (formerly Saarbrücken) Germany. The competition was founded in 1990 and took place for the first time in 1992. It was initially held in Saarbrücken, Germany, (it is now held in Würzburg, Germany).[1] The competition has been held every three years since, and with 771 Pianists from a total of 58 Countries registering to a total of 9 Competitions (the 9th Competition was held in March 2016), it is considered the largest Bach Piano Competition in the World, and the only International Bach Competition where the repertoire consists of only the works of J. S. Bach.[2] [3] [4]

His contribution to Bach interpretation was the development of a system of interpreting Bach’s keyboard works on the modern piano, processing the neutral Urtext of the works in order to help the performer understand and convey parameters such as tempo, structure, articulation, ornaments, dynamics as well as the architecture of the work, portraying a "living structure" and a balance between "energy and relaxation".[5] Walter Blankenheim wrote an essay exploring these ideas, titled: "Problems and Chances in the interpretation of J. S. Bach’s keyboard works on the modern piano"[6]

References

  1. ^ Alink, Gustav. "Walter Blankenheim passed away". Alink-Argerich Foundation. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Wettstreit der Pianisten in Würzburg". MAIN POST. MAIN POST. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  3. ^ PPREISSNER, KATJA (10 July 2000). "Bach-Spiel ohne Schallmauer". No. NR. 157 MONTAG, 10. JULY 2000. Saarbrücker Zeitung. Saarbrücker Zeitung. Retrieved 14 June 2016. {{cite news}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  4. ^ "Im Fernen Osten ist Bach besonders beliebt". Saarbrücker Zeitung. Saarbrücker Zeitung. 26 February 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  5. ^ Anderson, Richard Paul (2012). The Pianist's Craft Mastering the works of Great Composers. Plymouth, UK: The Scarecrow Press, INC. pp. 13–15. ISBN 978-0-8108-8205-8. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ^ Vorwort zu den Bachtagen, Saarland 1997