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Ruth Killius
“Ruth Killius shines in a revelatory performance of Bartók’s Viola Concerto.”
Ruth Killius’ extraordinary ability to use her instrument to revive the wealth of viola literature from the Classical to the Modern Age is without equal. The versatility of her playing has bestowed her instrument with new meaning.
Particularly through her interest and commitment to contemporary music, Ruth Killius, who studied with Ulrich Koch and Kim Kashkashian, has succeeded in establishing the viola as an integral part of the musical 21st century and in expanding the standard repertoire for her instrument. She collaborated in the performance of numerous original premieres e.g. the Brian Ferneyhough String Trio together with members of Geneva’s Ensemble Contrechamps as well as in Elliott Carter’s Oboe Quartet with Heinz Holliger. Holliger wrote his double concerto for violin, viola and a small orchestra, a commission from the Salzburg Festival, for her. The performance of the original premiere of John Casken‘s double concerto That Subtle Knot, dedicated to the duo Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius, together with the Royal Northern Sinfonia attracted widespread attention. In the spring of 2023, the work was released paired with Bartók’s Viola Concerto on ECM New Series.
Ruth Killius can be heard on the international concert podiums with solo and double concertos and as a chamber musician. She has made guest appearances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Russian National Youth Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Musikkollegium Winterthur, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Mozarteumorchester Salzburg and repeatedly in Gateshead and Clermont-Ferrand. Ruth Killius was Artist in Residence with the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2016/17 season.
Together with Thomas Zehetmair, Ruth Killius formed the Zehetmair Quartet in 1994, which is now considered one of the world’s leading string quartets. A recording featuring Hindemith’s String Quartet No. 4 and Bartók’s String Quartet No. 5 was distinguished with the Diapason d’Or de l’Année of the year. In 2013, the ensemble released a recording dedicated to Beethoven, Bruckner, Hartmann and Holliger.
For ECM, Ruth Killius has recorded a CD featuring works by Elliott Carter and Isang Yun together with Heinz Holliger and Thomas Demenga. The recording released under the Glossa label featuring Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century under Frans Brüggen is considered to be a reference recording. In April 2018, her latest recording of all Hindemith sonatas for viola was published by NoMadMusic.
The duo Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius can be heard in numerous music centers. The widely regarded album Manto and Madrigals, inspired by Scelsi’s Manto for a singing violist featuring works of Bartók, Holliger, Martinů et al. was released on ECM in March 2011.
Season 2023/2024 | Photo: Jean-François Mariotti | Quote: Radio France, March 5 2023
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Performance of Thomas Zehetmair’s composition
1 December 2023
This Sunday, Thomas Zehetmair will be playing in a trio with Ruth Killius and Daniel Haefliger at the Martinu Festival in Basel. In addition to works by Martinu […]
Ruth Killius at the Philharmonie Berlin
24 November 2023
On Monday evening, Ruth Killius will perform at the Philharmonie Berlin as part of the annual charity concert of the Foundation Gute Tat. Alongside colleagues such as Olga […]
From Hamburg through the Alps with the Zehetmair Quartet
4 May 2023
The Zehetmair Quartet will spend a week touring from Hamburg, along Munich and South Tirol to Switzerland. At each stop the etablished string quartet will present a colorful […]
Ruth Killius and the Irish Chamber Orchestra
22 February 2023
This week, Ruth Killius is visiting the Irish Chamber Orchestra to play two concerts under the direction of their principal conductor Thomas Zehetmair. They will present Mozart’s Sinfonia […]
New Album with Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair
17 February 2023
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair have recorded a new CD with the Royal Northern Sinfonia. The album is being released by ECM and contains Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Bartók’s […]
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair in Gateshead
24 November 2022
Ruth Killius will play a concert in Gateshead, United Kingdom this Friday under the baton of Thomas Zehetmair. Together with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, they will present William […]
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair in Auvergne
4 October 2022
This week, Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair are in French Auvergne for two concerts. With the Orchestre National d’Auvergne, of which Thomas Zehetmair is principal conductor, Britten’s Double […]
Zehetmair Quartett on European Tour
27 April 2022
The Zehetmair Quartett is embarking on a tour throughout Germany, Austria, Belgium and Finland. After concerts in Homburg and Blaibach the four musicians will travel to Innsbruck before […]
Ruth Killius at Musikkollegium Winterthur
21 June 2021
This Wednesday Ruth Killius will participate in the farewell-concert for Thomas Zehetmair at Musikkollegium Winterthur. Together with Zehetmair she will be playing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola […]
Ruth Killius streaming from Winterthur
3 February 2021
Ruth Killius‘ concert with the Musikkollegium Winterthur under the direction of Thomas Zehetmair will be streamed live tonight. Apart from Tschaikowsky’s 5th Symphony they will perform the Double […]
Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius playing in São Paulo
7 May 2019
Even with two programs Thomas Zehetmair will be performing at the Sala São Paulo in the upcoming weeks. After leading the Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo […]
Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius as guests in Bogotá
21 February 2019
Thomas Zehetmair is from February 22nd to marc 2nd guest in the capital of Colombia and will present together with Ruth Killius and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá […]
Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius – a variety of concerts in London
12 October 2016
Thomas Zehetmair’s talent for skilfully combining his many aptitudes with one another is without equal. In the coming two weeks, he will do just that in London. There, […]
Ruth Killius Artist in Residence in Augsburg
7 October 2016
As Artist in Residence, Ruth Killius will take concert audiences in Augsburg on a musical journey through a broad repertoire for the viola. In multiple solo and chamber […]
Trio Alexander debuts with summer concerts
15 July 2016
After getting to know one another while collaborating on concert performances, violinist Willi Zimmermann, violist Ruth Killius and cellist Daniel Haefliger now perform as a trio. Willi Zimmermann […]
Aldeburgh Music Festival – Thomas Zehetmair – Ruth Killius
27 May 2016
Thomas Zehetmair will be attending this year’s Aldeburgh Music Festival in England where he will perform not one, but three concerts. The festival has been held since 1948 […]
The Zehetmair Quartett is on tour!
18 January 2016
After winning the 2014 Hindemith Prize awarded by the city of Hanau, the Zehetmair Quartett will also be presenting an exciting programme including one of the composer’s pieces […]
Thomas Zehetmair, Ruth Killius & Daniel Haefliger
9 April 2024
Thomas Zehetmair’s first own composition Passacaglia, Burleske and Meditation was premiered in Geneva in 2023 as part of the Swiss Chamber Concerts and since then been perfomed in […]
Season promgram 25/26 with Zehetmair Quartet
13 March 2024
Thomas Zehetmair | Violin Jakub Jakowicz | Violin Ruth Killius | Viola Christian Elliott | Violoncello March 4th-15th 2026 or upon request They gave the impression that they […]
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair
4 February 2024
Thomas Zehetmair | Violin Ruth Killius | Viola iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii “The Duo […] masterfully performed, made the familiarity of the two and their mutual admiration more than […]
Performance of Thomas Zehetmair’s composition
1 December 2023
This Sunday, Thomas Zehetmair will be playing in a trio with Ruth Killius and Daniel Haefliger at the Martinu Festival in Basel. In addition to works by Martinu […]
Ruth Killius at the Philharmonie Berlin
24 November 2023
On Monday evening, Ruth Killius will perform at the Philharmonie Berlin as part of the annual charity concert of the Foundation Gute Tat. Alongside colleagues such as Olga […]
From Hamburg through the Alps with the Zehetmair Quartet
4 May 2023
The Zehetmair Quartet will spend a week touring from Hamburg, along Munich and South Tirol to Switzerland. At each stop the etablished string quartet will present a colorful […]
Ruth Killius and the Irish Chamber Orchestra
22 February 2023
This week, Ruth Killius is visiting the Irish Chamber Orchestra to play two concerts under the direction of their principal conductor Thomas Zehetmair. They will present Mozart’s Sinfonia […]
New Album with Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair
17 February 2023
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair have recorded a new CD with the Royal Northern Sinfonia. The album is being released by ECM and contains Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Bartók’s […]
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair in Gateshead
24 November 2022
Ruth Killius will play a concert in Gateshead, United Kingdom this Friday under the baton of Thomas Zehetmair. Together with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, they will present William […]
Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair in Auvergne
4 October 2022
This week, Ruth Killius and Thomas Zehetmair are in French Auvergne for two concerts. With the Orchestre National d’Auvergne, of which Thomas Zehetmair is principal conductor, Britten’s Double […]
Zehetmair Quartett on European Tour
27 April 2022
The Zehetmair Quartett is embarking on a tour throughout Germany, Austria, Belgium and Finland. After concerts in Homburg and Blaibach the four musicians will travel to Innsbruck before […]
Ruth Killius at Musikkollegium Winterthur
21 June 2021
This Wednesday Ruth Killius will participate in the farewell-concert for Thomas Zehetmair at Musikkollegium Winterthur. Together with Zehetmair she will be playing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola […]
Ruth Killius streaming from Winterthur
3 February 2021
Ruth Killius‘ concert with the Musikkollegium Winterthur under the direction of Thomas Zehetmair will be streamed live tonight. Apart from Tschaikowsky’s 5th Symphony they will perform the Double […]
Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius playing in São Paulo
7 May 2019
Even with two programs Thomas Zehetmair will be performing at the Sala São Paulo in the upcoming weeks. After leading the Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo […]
Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius as guests in Bogotá
21 February 2019
Thomas Zehetmair is from February 22nd to marc 2nd guest in the capital of Colombia and will present together with Ruth Killius and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá […]
Bogotá – León de Greiff Auditorium
20 February 2019
Haydn Symphony No. 49 in F minor Britten Double Concerto for violin, viola and orchestra Haydn Symphony No. 92 in G major Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá Thomas Zehetmair, […]
Bogotá – Fabio Lozano Auditorium
20 February 2019
Haydn Symphony No. 49 in F minor Britten Double Concerto for violin, viola and orchestra Haydn Symphony No. 92 in G major Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá Thomas Zehetmair, […]
Moritzburg – Evangelische Kirche
27 June 2017
Mahler – Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 Alexander Sitkovetsky violin 1 Annabelle Meare violin 2 Kai Vogler violin 3 Ning Feng violin 4 Ruth Killius viola 1 Hwayoon […]
Bad Elster – König Albert Theater
27 June 2017
Mozart – Sinfonia Concertante E-flat major KV 364 Moritzburg Festival Orchestra Josep Caballé Domenech conductor Mira Wang violin Ruth Killius viola
Winterthur – Musikkollegium Winterthur
15 January 2017
Salieri – Folia di Spagna variations P. Hindemith – Viola concerto “Der Schwanendreher” M. Reger – Mozart variations op. 132 Thomas Zehetmair, Leitung Nicolas Corti, Viola
Eindhoven – Muziekgebouw Eindhoven
15 January 2017
J. Haydn – String quartet F major op. 3 no. 5 “Serenadenquartett” P. Hindemith – String quartet no. 5 op. 32 J. Haydn – String quartet Hob.III: 77 […]
Winterthur – Musikkollegium Winterthur
15 January 2017
J. Haydn – String quartet F major op. 3 no. 5 “Serenadenquartett” P. Hindemith – String quartet no. 5 op. 32 J. Haydn – String quartet Hob.III: 77 […]
Vevey – Salle del Castillo Vevey
15 January 2017
J. Haydn – String quartet F major op. 3 no. 5 “Serenadenquartett” P. Hindemith – String quartet no. 5 op. 32 J. Haydn – String quartet Hob.III: 77 […]
Genf – Passage de la Radio Genf
15 January 2017
J. Haydn – String quartet F major op. 3 no. 5 “Serenadenquartett” P. Hindemith – String quartet no. 5 op. 32 J. Haydn – String quartet Hob.III: 77 […]
Barcelona – Palau de la Musica Catalana
15 January 2017
J. Haydn – String quartet F major op. 3 no. 5 “Serenadenquartett” P. Hindemith – String quartet no. 5 op. 32 J. Haydn – String quartet Hob.III: 77 […]
Thomas Zehetmair and Ruth Killius – a variety of concerts in London
12 October 2016
Thomas Zehetmair’s talent for skilfully combining his many aptitudes with one another is without equal. In the coming two weeks, he will do just that in London. There, […]
Ruth Killius Artist in Residence in Augsburg
7 October 2016
As Artist in Residence, Ruth Killius will take concert audiences in Augsburg on a musical journey through a broad repertoire for the viola. In multiple solo and chamber […]
London – Royal Collage of Music
5 October 2016
F. Mendelssohn – oOtetop. 20 Eflat major C. Matthews – …through the glass 1994 L. v. Beethoven – Symphony no. 7 A major op. 92 RCM Symphony Orchestra […]
Ruth Killius – Discography Viola
21 July 2016
Bartók/Casken/Beethoven John Casken: Concerto for violin, viola, orchestra That subtle Knot Bartok: Concert for viola Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor op. 67 Partner: Thomas Zehetmair (conductor, […]
Ruth Killius – Repertoire Viola
21 July 2016
J. S. Bach Brandenburg concerto No. 6 in B-flat major BWV 1051 Bartok Concerto for viola and orchestra op. posth. Berio Chemin III Voci Berlioz Harold in Italy […]
Trio Alexander debuts with summer concerts
15 July 2016
After getting to know one another while collaborating on concert performances, violinist Willi Zimmermann, violist Ruth Killius and cellist Daniel Haefliger now perform as a trio. Willi Zimmermann […]
Aldeburgh Music Festival – Thomas Zehetmair – Ruth Killius
27 May 2016
Thomas Zehetmair will be attending this year’s Aldeburgh Music Festival in England where he will perform not one, but three concerts. The festival has been held since 1948 […]
The Zehetmair Quartett is on tour!
18 January 2016
After winning the 2014 Hindemith Prize awarded by the city of Hanau, the Zehetmair Quartett will also be presenting an exciting programme including one of the composer’s pieces […]
J. S. Bach
Brandenburg concerto No. 6 in B-flat major BWV 1051
Bartok
Concerto for viola and orchestra op. posth.
Berio
Chemin III
Voci
Berlioz
Harold in Italy – Symphony in four movements with viola solo op. 16
Britten
Lachrymae: Reflections on a song of Dowland op. 48 version for violin, viola and orchestra
Double concerto for violin, viola and orchestra in B minor
Bruch
Romance in F major op. 85
J. Casken
That Subtle Knot
Enescu
Concert piece
Glinka
Sonata D minor
K. A. Hartmann
Concerto for viola, piano and orchestra
Hindemith
Chamber music No. 5 for viola and orchestra op. 36 No. 4
Der Schwanendreher concerto for viola and chamber orchestra
Trauermusik for viola solo and string orchestra
Hoffmeister
Concerto for viola and orchestra in D major
Holliger
Janus
Martin
Ballad
Martinu
Rhapsody-Concerto for viola and orchestra
Milhaud
Concerto No. 1
Concerto No. 2
Mozart
Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major for violin, viola and orchestra
Paganini
Grand sonata in A major
Penderecki
Concerto for viola and orchestra
Schnittke
Concerto for viola and orchestra
Stamitz
Concerto for viola and orchestra in D major op. 1
Telemann
Concerto for viola, strings and b.c. in G major TWV 51:G 9
Walton
Concerto for viola and orchestra
B. A. Zimmermann
Antiphonen for viola and 25 instrumentalists
J. S. Bach
Brandenburg concerto No. 6 in B-flat major BWV 1051
Bartok
Concerto for viola and orchestra op. posth.
Berio
Chemin III
Voci
Berlioz
Harold in Italy – Symphony in four movements with viola solo op. 16
Britten
Lachrymae: Reflections on a song of Dowland op. 48 version for violin, viola and orchestra
Double concerto for violin, viola and orchestra in B minor
Bruch
Romance in F major op. 85
J. Casken
That Subtle Knot
Enescu
Concert piece
Glinka
Sonata D minor
K. A. Hartmann
Concerto for viola, piano and orchestra
Hindemith
Chamber music No. 5 for viola and orchestra op. 36 No. 4
Der Schwanendreher concerto for viola and chamber orchestra
Trauermusik for viola solo and string orchestra
Hoffmeister
Concerto for viola and orchestra in D major
Holliger
Janus
Martin
Ballad
Martinu
Rhapsody-Concerto for viola and orchestra
Milhaud
Concerto No. 1
Concerto No. 2
Mozart
Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major for violin, viola and orchestra
Paganini
Grand sonata in A major
Penderecki
Concerto for viola and orchestra
Schnittke
Concerto for viola and orchestra
Stamitz
Concerto for viola and orchestra in D major op. 1
Telemann
Concerto for viola, strings and b.c. in G major TWV 51:G 9
Walton
Concerto for viola and orchestra
B. A. Zimmermann
Antiphonen for viola and 25 instrumentalists
Ruth Killius live at LAC Lugano
Ruth Killius, Thomas Zehetmair & Ural Philharmonic Orchestra: Benjamin Britten – Double Concerto for Violin and Viola
Tina NurnusVeronika Fischer
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t.nurnus@ks-schoerke.de
Phone: +49 (0)611-50 58 90 52
Mobile: +49 (0)172 821 33 68
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v.fischer@ks-schoerke.de
Phone: +49 (0)611-50 58 90 54
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