Thomas Quasthoff

The double Grammy Award-winning classical bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff is a very highly respected performer whose achievements are all the more remarkable because he suffers from phocomelia, a condition brought about due to the drug thalidomide which was prescribed to Quasthoff's mother to help her cope with morning sickness, a common occurance during the drug's use in the late 1950s. Although he had the necessary musical ability required to enter Hanover's famous music conservatory, Quasthoff was denied entry because he was physically unable to play the piano. Fortunately he was mentored by the pianist Sebastian Peschko who helped guide Quasthoff through his musical education. After studying law for three years Quasthoff began a career as a radio announcer and worked for the German radio station NDR for six years. In 1988 he won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and from there began his career as a successful soloist. During his career Quasthoff has won numerous awards and latterly became a voice professor teaching music at the academy in Detmold. He retired from public appearances in 2012, citing poor health and the strains of touring as his reasons. Quasthoff has continued to make the occasional concert appearance, most notably as the speaker in the cantata 'Gurre-Lieder' written by Arnold Schönberg.

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