August Wenzinger Swiss cellist and gambist Date of Birth: 14.11.1905 Country: Switzerland

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in Orchestras
3. Focus on Baroque Music
4. Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
5. Capella Coloniensis
6. Publications and Recordings
7. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Jacques Weinzinger was born into a musical family in Basel, Switzerland. He began playing the cello at an early age and later studied at the Basel Conservatory with Paul Grümmer. He continued his studies at the Cologne Conservatory, where he studied composition with Philipp Jarnach. Weinzinger also studied privately with Emanuel Feuermann in Berlin.

Career in Orchestras

In the 1920s, Weinzinger joined the Bremen City Orchestra as principal cellist, a position he held until 1934. He then moved to Basel, where he served as principal cellist in the Basel Orchestra until 1970.

Focus on Baroque Music

Despite his success in orchestras, Weinzinger's true passion lay in baroque music and historical performance. He was one of the pioneers of the early music movement and played a significant role in the revival of interest in historically informed performances.

Schola Cantorum Basiliensis

In 1933, Weinzinger became one of the founding members of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, an early music research and training center that later became part of the Basel Music Academy. He taught at the school and played a key role in developing their curriculum and performance practices.

Capella Coloniensis

In 1954, Weinzinger founded the early music ensemble Capella Coloniensis in Cologne. With this group, he toured extensively throughout Europe, including the Soviet Union. Capella Coloniensis was one of the leading early music ensembles of its time and helped to popularize the historically informed performance of baroque music.

Publications and Recordings

Weinzinger edited several editions of cello repertoire by Johann Sebastian Bach. He also published two volumes of exercises for learning to play the viola da gamba, Gambenübung and Gambenfibel. Weinzinger's recordings of baroque music are highly regarded for their authenticity and musicality.

Legacy

Jacques Weinzinger was one of the most influential musicians of the early music movement. His work as a teacher and performer helped to inspire and educate a new generation of historically informed musicians. He also played a key role in the development of early music ensembles and the rediscovery of baroque performance practices. Weinzinger's legacy continues to inspire and guide musicians and audiences today.