Günter Pichler, violinist from Kufstein, Austria, studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Wien, and became concertmaster of the Wiener Symphoniker under W. Sawallisch at the age of 18. At 21, he was appointed concertmaster of the Wiener Philharmoniker by Herbert von Karajan. From 1963 to 2009 he was professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, from 1993 to 2012 at Cologne University of Music and Dance. In 2007 he was appointed head of the chamber music department at Escuela Superio de Musica Reina Sofia, Madrid. Günter Pichler teaches at summer academies like Pro Quartet Paris, Accademia Chighiana Siena and Misqua Montreal. Many of his students made successful careers, among them the Artemis, Belcea, Leonkoro, Casals and Fauré Quartets and up and coming ensembles such as the Barbican, Fibonacci, Piatti, Minetti, Schumann and Voce Quartets. In 1970 Günter Pichler founded the world famous Alban Berg Quartet and was its first violin until it disbanded in 2008. In addition, Pichler has been active as a conductor, working with internationally renowned orchestras around the world.
