Conductor Heribert Beissel has Died, Aged 88

The German-born conductor passed away due to an undisclosed cause.

Beissel held positions as chief conductor of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Philharmonic State Orchestra Halle, and the music director of the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt / Oder. Additionally, he served as an artistic director and founder of the Bonn Classical Philharmonic Orchestra.

© Klassische Philharmonie Bonn

Beissel received the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon due to his work in the field of young musical talent. He founded the “Wiener Klassik” in 1986, made up of graduates from music academies in an attempt to start their careers.

He was known as one of the most important conductors of his generation, due to his work with national and international orchestras and his numerous recordings.

Our condolences are with Heribert Beissel’s family, friends, and colleagues.

First published at theviolinchannel.com June 22, 2021.

Editor's note: I worked with Professor Beissel in July 1987, when he was engaged to conduct the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, with The ANU Opera Workshop, in a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Llewellyn Hall in Canberra. I was in the tenor section of the choir.

Professor Beissel returned two years later in August 1989, conducting Haydn's Symphony in D Major and the Don Quixote Fantastic Variations Op. 35 by Richard Strauss, with soloists Vincent Edwards (viola) and Nelson Cook (cello).

Read about those Canberra performances here.

Tony Magee, July 19 2021