Death of an iconic concertmaster, 94

Herman Krebbers, formidable concertmaster of the Haitink-era Concertgebouw Orchestra, died on Wednesday at a great age.

Krebbers was appointed joint concertmaster at the Residentie Orchestra in The Hague in 1951 together with his close friend Theo Olof. The pair moved together in 1962 to preside over the Concertgebouw strings. They were the best frontline partnership in Europe.

Olof stepped down in the early-1980s, around the time that Krebbers’ activities were restricted as the result of an accident.

Krebbers had been a formidable soloist. His recording of the Beethoven concerto with Haitink was for many years the go-to recording for first-time listeners, accurate and passionate in equal measure.

He went on to become a sought-after teacher. Frank Peter Zimmermann was among his star pupils.

Krebbers with Wanda Wilkomirska, who died this week

UPDATE: Concertgebouw announcement.