Lament for leading Leipzig musician

We have been notified of the death, aged 90, of the distinguished composer Siegfried Thiele, a man who maintained a successful career under both Communism and capitalism.

Born in Chemnitz, he initially combined composing for the Christian Community with teaching at the Felix Mendelssohn Hochschule, also founding the city’s youth orchestra.

When Kurt Masur persuaded the authorities to rebuild the Gewandhaus concert hall, Thiele was chosen to compose the inaugual work – Songs to the Sun for alto and tenor solo, organ, choir and orchestra.

Directly after German reunification Thiele was elected rector of the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, holding the position until 2004.