Thomas Quasthoff - Definition and Overview

The German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff (born November 9, 1959) is generally regarded as one of the finest lieder singers of his generation.

Thomas Quasthoff records for Deutsche Grammophon and in 2001 won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance for his performance with Anne Sofie von Otter and the Berlin Philharmonic of Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn.

His recording of Brahms and Liszt songs with pianist Justus Zeyen was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance in 2004.

Quasthoff was born with serious birth defects caused by his mother's use of the morning sickness drug Thalidomide. Quasthoff was declined admission to the music conservatory in Hanover due to his physical inability to play the piano. He chose to study privately and in 2003, made his staged operatic debut in Beethoven's Fidelio.