norman lebrecht
July 20, 2026
The Spanish festival Música en Compostela is in shock at the death of its distinghished teacher, Stephen Picard.
Stephen, of French-German origin, was Professor of Violin at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin for the past 30 years, raising two generations of professionals in leading orchestras. He gave masterclasses in many countries and was a former member of the Michaelangelo Quartet.
He played a 1715 Petrus Guarnerius from Mantua.
UPDATE: We hear Stephen was taken to hospital Friday night and died there on Saturday.