Northern Illinois University
School of Music
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Mathias Tacke

Professor

Mathias Tacke, professor of violin and chamber music, is originally from Bremen, Germany. He was the second violinist of the acclaimed Vermeer Quartet from 1992 until 2007. His musical affiliations in Chicago have included Camerata Chicago, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Chicago Philharmonic, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Chicago Ensemble, Bach Week Festival.

With the Vermeer Quartet Mathias Tacke gave performances in practically all of the most prestigious festivals, including Tanglewood, Taos, Ravinia, South Bank, Lucerne, Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein and Edinburgh, to name only a few. Three of the Vermeer Quartet recordings were nominated for the Grammy Award.

Mathias Tacke appears internationally as a soloist and chamber player, performing a wide range of repertoire from the Baroque to music of our time.  

From 1983-1992 Mr. Tacke was a member of the Ensemble Modern Frankfurt, one of the most important professional groups specializing in the performance of contemporary music. In this capacity he gave countless first performances, including works by some of today’s leading composers.

He has made numerous recordings for such labels as Sony, ECM. Harmonia Mundi, Naxos and Cedille.