Death of a ceiling-breaking German pianist, 85
RIPThe pianist Annerose Schmidt – the first woman to be named rector of a Berlin conservatoire, died on March 10 after prolonged illness.
Winner of the 1956 Robert Schumann competition in East Berlin, she toured extensively in eastern Europe and only much later in the west.
She recorded a complete cycle of the Mozart concertos with Kurt Masur and the Dresden Philharmonic.
Appointed professor at the Hanns Eisler Academy in Wast Berlin in 1985, she was appointed rector shortly after the wall came down, holding that position for five years. She retired from teaching in 2006.
RIP East Germany had two official top pianists: Peter Roesel and Schmitt. We used to like the former and mistrust the latter.
I have her complete Mozart concertos – an excellent set. At least as good as Barenboim‘s.