At only 4'3", the German singer Thomas Quasthoff doesn't measure up to the so-called "normal" heights that have come to be associated with the lower registers of sound (after all, the deeper the desired sound, the longer the instrument must be).
However, undaunted by "normal," Quasthoff has succeeded in achieving world-class status, with three Grammy awards under his belt and countless appearances on stage. He also currently teaches voice at the Hanns Eisler Music University in Berlin and is organizing a competition for 2009. Born of Quasthoff's love for German song, the competition will showcase young lieder singers from around the world.
Thomas Quasthoff's Memoir: Big Heart, Big Voice
After releasing over 50 albums of recorded leider, opera, oratorios, and more, Quasthoff has finally released something in print. His memoir entitled The Voice recounts the challenges and obstacles the 48-year-old singer overcame on his path to classical music stardom.
Back in the late 1950s, Quasthoff's mother took the prescribed drug thalidomide, which was gaining popularity at the time as a relief for morning sickness and as a sleep aid. However, what she and the many others who took the drug didn't realize was that the drug had been inadequately tested. The drug is now known to cause severe birth defects.
In 1959, Quasthoff was born missing fingers and knee joints. He spent the first three years of his life isolated from his family, kept in a sterile environment for fear of infection. But amidst these hardships, music still beckoned him. Quasthoff was interested in blues and gospel and classical music. After his first recital, jaws dropped in amazement at his talents. The rest, as they say, is history.
Career Highlights
In Quasthoff's case, the "rest" was a history of singing engagements and performances with major conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim and Sir Simon Rattle. He has performed with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra. He has also secured an exclusive contract with the major classical music studio Duetsche Grammophon.
He has won the First Prize in the 1988 ARD International Music Competition (Munich), the 1996 Shostakovich Prize (Moscow), and the 1996 Hamada Trust/ Scotsman Festival Prize (Edinburgh International Festival). In 2005, he was awarded the Order of Merit from the President of the German Republic.
Sources
Huizenga, Tom. "Thomas Quasthoff: A Mighty 'Voice' Soars." August 12, 2008. NPR Music.
"One to One with Singer Thomas Quasthoff." Interview Breandáin O'Shea on Deutsche Welle.
Website dedicated to Thomas Quasthoff.
