Enrique Santiago (violist)
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Enrique Santiago (born 1939 in Madrid) is a Spanish violist who has spent much of his career in Germany. Santiago studied music at the conservatory in Madrid, graduating in 1961, after which he moved to Cologne to continue his studies with Max Rostal. In 1967, he began a long association with the city of Stuttgart, becoming solo violist with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. In 1972, he moved to the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, as solo violist, and then became the solo violist with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1978. In parallel to his work in Germany, he has also played as soloist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Since 1975, Santiago has been a Professor for the Viola at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart; between 1990 and 1996 he was also a Prorector of the university. In 1984, Santiago stepped away from orchestral playing to focus more on both chamber music and on his teaching. In regard to the former, he worked very often with the Stuttgart-based Melos Quartet, and is a member of the Diabelli Trio, alongside the flautist Willy Freivogel and guitarist Sigi Schwab. The repertoire of this trio, named for the Viennese music publisher and composer Anton Diabelli, is strongly based in the compositions of the First Viennese School but also comprises pieces from composers as diverse as Scott Joplin and Astor Piazolla. Santiago is a founding member of the ensemble of the Villa Musica, an institution devoted to supporting young musicians and to concert performance, especially of chamber music. For his work in supporting and promoting Spanish music, Santiago was made a Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic by Juan Carlos I in 1983.
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