Cellist Paul Tortelier Died In 1990

Between 1956 and 1969 his influence extended beyond performance, as he taught at conservatories in France, Germany, and China, conducting televised masterclasses in England. He served as a professor at the Conservatoire de Paris, and from 1969 to 1975 at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen. Subsequently, he achieved the distinction of being the first Westerner appointed as an honorary Professor of Music at the Central Conservatoire in Beijing, China.

Despite being French himself, Tortelier advised his students to explore beyond French music, recognizing the global appeal of composers like Beethoven and Mozart. He instilled in his students an international perspective on both musical preferences and performances. Similar to Rostropovich, Tortelier gradually expanded his role into conducting as he advanced in age.