On the beat
OBITUARIES
FELIX AYO
Spanish violinist Felix Ayo has died at the age of 90. He was founder, leader and soloist of the I Musici ensemble, and also founded the Quartetto Beethoven di Roma piano quartet. Born in Sestao, Spain, in 1933, Ayo received his diploma aged of 14 and continued his studies in Paris, Siena and Rome. At the age of 18 he founded I Musici, performing as its leader and soloist for 16 years.
Ayo’s international performing career took him all over the world, as he gave hundreds of concerts as soloist, in recitals and with the Quartetto Beethoven di Roma, which he founded in 1970. He recorded with Philips, Columbia, EMI and Dynamic, and won the ’Grand Prix du Disque’ for his recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. His most recent recordings included works by Tartini, Viotti, Mendelssohn and Turina.
As a teacher, Ayo gave regular masterclasses at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome for 15 years, gaining the title of professor emeritus. He gave seminars in Spain, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy, Denmark and the US. He was often invited to be a member of the jury in international competitions, including the Paganini, Sarasate and Lipizer competitions. He received the Premio Roma and Premio San Michele awards, commemorating his life dedicated to music.