Behrend, Siegfried

(b Berlin, 19 Nov 1933; d Hausham, 20 Sept 1990)

German guitarist.

Although his father, a skilled guitarist, encouraged him, he was virtually self-taught. At 16 he entered the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory to study the piano, composition and conducting, but gradually the guitar claimed his attention. He made his début in Leipzig in 1952 and then gave recitals throughout Germany. He toured Italy in 1954, Spain in 1956, the USSR in 1958, and in 1958–9 made the first of many world tours. He gave an annual masterclass at Rosenburg Castle, and also conducted in Germany. Behrend was specially distinguished in contemporary and avant-garde music: Becker, Bussotti, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Haubenstock-Ramati, Logothetis, Penderecki and Yun composed works for him, many of which he recorded. He was the most renowned German guitarist of his generation.