Tabea Zimmermann

It is thanks to Tabea Zimmermann, that jokes about 'stupid viola players' are now a thing of the past. It is largely down to her that the viola can today take its place alongside the violin and the cello as a solo instrument. Zimmerman liberated the viola, freeing it from its subservient role as an accompanying instrument and arousing the interest of many composers. It was no less a composer than Ligeti who wrote his viola sonata especially for her. Zimmerman's exceptional musicality and versatility can be heard on over thirty CDs. She has now finally released her first solo CD, on which she combines Bach cello suites with suites for solo viola by Max Reger. We are happy to forget that playing the Bach cello suites on the viola is just 'not done', since Zimmerman's natural, effortless playing convinces us in every bar; it is unbelievable how she lends colour and life to the score and how many different voices and nuances she can convey with her instrument. Also, the combination with Reger's neo-baroque suites, in which he shows his most melodic side, is a total success.