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In Memoriam: Lars Vogt (1970–2022)
September 09, 2022
All at the Naxos Music Group were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of pianist/conductor Lars Vogt at the age of 51.
Born in the German town of Düren in 1970, Lars established himself as one of the leading musicians of his generation, first coming to public attention when he won second prize at the 1990 Leeds International Piano Competition.
His versatility as an artist ranged from the core classical repertoire of Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms to the Romantic era, and through to Lutosławski.
As a conductor, Vogt worked with many leading orchestras, including the Cologne, Munich and Zurich Chamber Orchestras, Camerata Salzburg, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Frankfurter Museumsorchester, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In September 2015 Vogt took up his post as music director of Royal Northern Sinfonia at Sage Gateshead.
During his prestigious career as a pianist Vogt performed with many of the world’s great orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam, the Orchestre de Paris, the Berlin, Vienna and New York Philharmonics, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestras of London, Boston, Bavarian Radio and the NHK.
Happily, Vogt’s continuing presence will be long enjoyed through his extensive discography on the Ondine label. Reijo Kiilunen, Ondine’s label director, reflected on their collaboration:
“Lars Vogt was an exceptional, multi-award-winning artist, a great friend, but, above all, an excellent human being: warm, modest, kind-hearted, and with a great sense of humour. These factors, no doubt, also formed the basis of his excellence as an artist. His positive spirit and optimism has been a source of inspiration for us. Lars left a deep impression on us all and he will be greatly missed.”
‘Absorbing listening … Vogt has this music’s measure and offers many revelations.’ – Pianist ★★★★★
‘What a pleasure to encounter Brahms, so often interpreted as relentlessly earnest, here captured with his eyes brimming with joy.’
– Gramophone
‘Lars Vogt has always been a pianist of remarkable gifts but over the years his artistry has risen in stature in ways one scarcely could have imagined.’
– Gramophone
‘…the rapport between the soloist and this highly accomplished band of musicians is everything it should be, and more. These are marvellous performances.’
– Gramophone
‘… a wonderful addition to the catalogue by a versatile musician.’
– The Guardian