Sudden death of the classical music lawyer
mainThe death has been announced of Christoph Schmökel, legal adviser to the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras and to many leading musicians and music companies. Most recently he advised the top-selling German-American violinist, David Garrett.
Christoph died suddenly on April 4, his Berlin law firm has announced.
In 1998, when the record industry was in deep trouble, he was made executive vice-president of Deutsche Grammophon.
His name was on innumerable contracts.
A really sad loss. He was very tough but fair – but most importantly, he loved music and cared for his clients in exemplary fashion.
My understanding is that up until his death he was still working – for a much reduced fee – for the monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz in Austria. A good man.