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Siegmund Nissel | Violinist, 86

Siegmund Nissel, 86, a violinist who fled his native Germany as a child to escape Nazi persecution of Jews and later helped found the Amadeus String Quartet, died Wednesday at his home in London.

Siegmund Nissel, 86, a violinist who fled his native Germany as a child to escape Nazi persecution of Jews and later helped found the Amadeus String Quartet, died Wednesday at his home in London.

Mr. Nissel, violinist Norbert Brainin and violist Peter Schildof escaped from the Nazis and formed a deep, enduring friendship when they were in an internment camp on the Isle of Man during World War II. The fourth was British cellist Martin Lovett.

Mr. Nissel was second violinist in the chamber group, which played more than 4,000 concerts. Besides playing the works of Mozart, the group was known for its interpretations of Beethoven and Brahms.

In his later years, Mr. Nissel taught music at Cologne in Germany and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. - AP