Sad death of eminent Vienna flute, 63
mainThe Flautiada Competition has announced the death of its founder-juror, Hansgeorg Schmeiser, at the age of 63. No cause is known.
Schmeiser, principal flute of the Vienna Volksoper from 1982 and a regular guest with the Vienna Philharmonic, was professor at the Universität für Musik, artistic director at the Neuberger Kulturtage and head of the International Academy for Flute in Fiss (Tyrol).
Desperately sad news. Friends in Vienna tell me it was heart attack whilst hiking in his beloved Tyrol. Hansgeorg was a very fine flautist with whom I made several recordings, both solo and with his wind quintet ‘Quintett Wien’. That legacy and his innumerable students around the world will hopefully keep his memory alive long beyond this tragically early loss.
Sad news
Very shocked indeed to hear this news. Heart goes out to his family, of course. But what a terrific player and so happy to play all kinds of music across the whole ‘classical’ spectrum. Beautiful and ever reliable sound. Very sad. Too young.