Joachim, Walter, 1912-2001

Walter Joachim was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1912, and was an influential cellist and teacher in the Canadian and Chinese music scenes. Joachim occupied the roles of principal cellist in the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, McGill Chamber Orchestra and CBC Orchestra, he also co-founded the Montreal String Quartet. Joachim was a revered teacher and taught at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Montreal Conservatory of Music, and McGill University. Joachim was awarded the Order of Canada in 1992, and the Order of Quebec in 1995. His legacy is honoured by the Walter Joachim Scholarship in Music, awarded by The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal.
Joachim came from a musical family and began playing violin at the age of five with his bother Otto. Walter left Germany in 1938 to escape the second world war, he moved to Malaysia to join Otto and toured there and China before accepting the role of principal cellist at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in 1940. While in Shanghai Joachim also became the head of the cello department at the Shanghai Conservatory.
In 1952 Joachim moved to Montreal and in 1953 he became the principal cellist of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), a position he held until 1979. At this time Joachim also joined the McGill Chamber Orchestra where he played as principal cellist for 28 years. This was an active time in Joachim’s musical life where he taught at the Montreal Conservatory of Music, and was a frequent guest on CBC radio, and with the CBC Orchestra. Joachim left the MSO in 1979 due to early onset Parkinsons, after his retirement he focused on teaching, and was an ally to many students from Shanghai attempting to study in North America. From 1987-1991 Joachim and his wife Monique toured Shanghai and guest taught in many schools.
Joachim passed away in 2001 in Montreal, Quebec.