Sad, sudden death of a classical label boss
mainWe have been informed of the death on Saturday night of Theo Lap, vice-president of A&R at vEMI Classics from 1997 to 2007.
Theo, a record-biz lifer, went on to found Newton Classics, a reissue label.
The cause of death appears to have been a heart attack. Theo was in his mid-50s.
Our sympathies to his family.
Update: Message from Brilliant Classics:
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our colleague Theo Lap.
Theo worked in the Music Industry for more than 25 years, starting in a Dutch retail shop. Theo’s hard work, passion and commitment to classical music, saw his career blossom, and he proceeded to become Account Manager at Harmonia Mundi Nederland, Product Manager at Warner Music, VP Marketing at Deutsche Grammophon, VP A&R and International Marketing at EMI Classics and Jazz, Managing Director at Foreign Media Music, CEO at Newton Classics, President at ArkivMusic.eu, Counsil member at Gemeente Franekeradeel for D66, Director A&R and Sales at T2 International and Label manager at Brilliant Classics.
How awful! Tragically young. He was a real force for good in the industry – knowledgeable, fun, efficient. Rest in peace.
rest in peace, dear theo. i will always miss you.
This photo says it all. A great spirit gone too soon.
This is terrible news. Theo was one a lovely man and did a fantastic job at EMI and elsewhere. Very sad.
I will love you forever – my dear friend Theo.
Thank you for all the good times we spent together and your friendship over
all the years.
Sadly,
Susi Starikova
What a surprise! a sad loss. I worked under Theo at EMI/Virgin in the late 90s. He was always full of life and lived life to the full. Too young…..
Katherine Walter (Howard)