International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove Co-Founder Hilary Tunstall-Behrens has Died, Aged 97

Also a violinist, Tunstall-Behrens is best known for his part in creating the International Musicians Seminar for artists worldwide 

Born in 1927, Hilary Tunstall-Behrens is remembered for his pivotal role in creating the International Musicians Seminar (IMS) in 1972 alongside his teacher the Hungarian violinist Sándor Végh. 

Now led by its Artistic Director and acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis, the IMS has since grown into a respected classical music institution bringing artists from across the world to make music together in a beautiful location in Cornwall, England.

The IMS formed gradually when Tunstall-Behrens invited Végh to Cornwall for a small music festival and to perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in Truro Cathedral. 

Inspired by the connection between music and nature, Végh found that the location’s seascape could offer sustenance to musicians, and recognised the importance for musicians to be immersed in settings outside the bustle of cities.  

The three-week long seminars welcome students from all over the world and now sees over 100 young musicians aged between 16 and 30 attending each spring.

IMS has also fostered connections with renowned composers including György Kurtág, Thomas Adès, Brett Dean, Jörg Widmann, and Mark-Anthony Turnage, giving students opportunities to work on new pieces together.

In 2007, Tunstall-Behrens also wrote and released a book on Végh’s musical upbringing and influences, including his studies with Bartók and friendship with Casals, titled “Sándor Végh…in Cornwall: The Hungarian virtuoso violinist and the founding of the ‘International Musicians Seminar’ Prussia Cove.”

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our Co-Founder, Hilary Tunstall-Behrens,” IMS wrote in a tribute. “He died peacefully at home with his wife Tatiana and family at his side. Our thoughts are with the family, and the IMS Prussia Cove community. His loss will be felt keenly, and by many, from all over the world. The family ask us to raise a glass of single malt in his memory, sharing in their sadness, but above all to celebrate his life, his dedication to the musical idealism that IMS embodies, and his profound love of the IMS family he founded with his teacher Sándor Végh 52 years ago.”

Our condolences to Mr. Tunstall-Behrens’ family, friends, and colleagues.