Thomas Fey (9 November 1960 – 27 June 2026) was a German orchestral conductor. He became a specialist for performing music from the classical period on instruments of the time with ensembles that he founded, beginning projects to record the complete symphonies by Joseph Haydn and Beethoven.
Thomas Fey | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Fey, in 2011 | |
| Born | 9 November 1960 |
| Died | 27 June 2026 (aged 65) |
| Occupation | Conductor |
| Organizations |
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Life and career
editFey was born on 9 November 1960.[1][2] He first studied music and conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim[1][3] He studied further at the Salzburg Mozarteum, especially historically informed performance practice with Nikolaus Harnoncourt.[3] He also attended master classes with Leonard Bernstein at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.[2]
In 1985 while still a student he founded the Heidelberg Motet Choir and in 1987 the Schlierbach Chamber Orchestra, which was renamed the Heidelberger Sinfoniker in 1993, giving their first concert on 1 January 1994. Fey began to record the complete symphonies by Joseph Haydn for the Hänssler Classic label, recording 58 of the 104 symphonies.[3] He also embarked on a project to record the symphonies by Beethoven. A volume of the Fourth and Sixth Symphonies was regarded by a reviewer from Classics Today as "the most arrestingly detailed, vibrantly executed, emotionally generous, and utterly alive performances" of these symphonies he heard in a long time.[4]
In 2003 Fey founded a period instruments ensemble La Passione dedicated to Baroque music and the Mannheimer Mozartorchester.[3][5] The orchestra, playing on period instruments only for the brass and timpani, played its inaugural concert on Mozart's 250th birthday on 27 January 2006.[5] Fey initiated the “Mozart Week Festival” in Heidelberg and recorded many works by Mozart with the orchestra.[1] They also recorded overtures, ballet music and stage music by Antonio Salieri;[5] one of the volumes was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category best orchestra recording.[5][6]
In October 2014 Fey suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from a fall.[3] It was hoped that he would recover and be well enough to rejoin the orchestra at the beginning of 2016,[7] but his health prevented him from ever doing so.[3]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Markay, Afton (1 July 2026). "Thomas Fey Passes Away at 65". OperaWire. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- 1 2 Franck, Rémy (28 June 2026). "Dirigent Thomas Fey im Alter von 65 Jahren verstorben". Pizzicato (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Conductor Thomas Fey has Died, Aged 65". The Violin Channel. 29 June 2026. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
- ↑ Distler, Jed (31 December 2002). "Beethoven 4 & 6/Fey". Classics Today. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Mannheimer Mozartorchester e.V." Mannheim. 29 June 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Artist / Thomas Fey". Grammy Awards. 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ Roth, Matthias (17 February 2015). "Heidelberger Sinfoniker sind in ihrer Existenz gefährdet (in German)". Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
External links
edit- Thomas Fey biography at AllMusic
- Thomas Fey discography at Discogs