Creative design
Florian Richter becomes new professor of viola in Weimar
The Department of String Instruments and Harp at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar is receiving prominent reinforcement. The principal violist of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Florian Richter, will become the new Professor of Viola from 1 April 2024. The 38-year-old, who has already taught as a viola professor in Nuremberg since 2017, is thus following a call to his former alma mater.
"I am delighted that such a top-class violist, on the one hand of course as a practitioner in first solo positions in top international orchestras and on the other hand with his enormous teaching experience and success, is moving the centre of his activities to Weimar," says the Director of the Department of String Instruments and Harp, Professor Tim Stolzenburg.
"The greatest joy I feel at my appointment as Professor of Viola at the Weimar University of Music is the opportunity to train new talent in the place that has significantly shaped my musical steps as a violist," explains Prof Florian Richter. "As I spent the majority of my musical training with Prof. Leser and Prof. Krüger at the Music High School Schloss Belvedere and the University of Music in Weimar, I am now delighted to be part of the university as a lecturer."
Florian Richter attaches particular importance to the dialogue and collaboration with his future colleagues to ensure the best possible and comprehensive training. "Being able to accompany young students on their musical path, develop musical personalities and provide a sound education is an essential part of my work," says Prof Richter. "Motivating young musicians to develop their own creativity is of great relevance to me."
Florian Richter, born in Oschatz in 1985, received his first violin lessons from Prof. Klaus Hertel at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig. In 2000, he switched to the viola and in 2001 to the Music High School Schloss Belvedere Weimar in the class of Prof Erich Wolfgang Krüger.
From 2004 to 2014, the multiple national prizewinner of "Jugend musiziert" studied at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar with Prof. Ditte Leser / Prof. Erich Krüger and completed his training with a concert exam.
He also received important musical impulses in masterclasses with Prof Alfred Lipka, Prof Dietmar Hallmann, Prof Hartmut Rohde, Prof Martin Spangenberg and Prof Norbert Brainin, among others. Florian Richter was a scholarship holder of the Hans and Eugenia Jütting Foundation, the German Foundation for Musical Life and the Carl Flesch Academy. As a soloist, he has performed under the direction of Johannes Klumpp, Helmuth Rilling, Stefan Solyom, Michael Sanderling and Marek Janowski, among others.
In January 2020, Florian Richter made his solo debut with the "Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden" under the direction of Bruno Weil. Florian Richter was principal viola of the Staatskapelle Weimar from 2010 to 2012 and held the same position with the Staatsorchester Stuttgart from 2012 to 2017.
From 2010 to 2017, he was also involved in teaching young viola players at the Music High School Schloss Belvedere in Weimar. Florian Richter was then appointed professor of viola at the Nuremberg University of Music from 2017 to 2024. Florian Richter has been principal viola of the Staatskapelle Dresden since August 2017.
[22 February 2024]