Roger Tapping, Viola

Born in England February 5, 1960, Tapping received degrees from the University of Cambridge and moved to the U.S. in 1995 to join the Takács Quartet, of which he was a member until 2005. In addition to the Juilliard and Takács quartets, he was a founding member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and a member of the Allegri String Quartet, Schubert Ensemble, and Raphael Ensemble. His recordings and performances—including multiple Beethoven and Bartók quartet cycles in major cities all over the world—earned accolades including three Gramophone awards, a Grammy, and three additional Grammy nominations.

Tapping joined the Juilliard faculty and the Juilliard String Quartet in 2013, when violist Samuel Rhodes (faculty 1969-present) retired from the quartet.

In a statement, the JSQ said that Tapping was “adored by students, colleagues, and audiences around the world” and that it would “continue to be inspired by his unstoppable energy and zeal, qualities that he brought to all his musical collaborations.” The quartet continued, “The pleasure he derived from music-making was palpable and inspiring, not just for those of us who were his colleagues, but for the generations of young musicians who were fortunate enough to have known and worked with him.”

In addition to teaching viola and coaching chamber music at Juilliard, Tapping was on the faculties of the Yellow Barn, Perlman Music Program, and Tanglewood summer festivals. He had previously been on the faculties of the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music, and the New England Conservatory, where he also served as chair of chamber music. He also made regular appearances at the Aspen Festival and the Taos School among many other schools and festivals.

Sadly, Roger died of cancer in January 2022 at the age of 61.