Joining the orchestra in 1955, Wangemann maintained an ongoing relationship with the ensemble for nearly 70 years, as a player, board member and historian
German violinist Eberhard Wangemann died on 17 August 2024, at the age of 104. Wangemann was a long-standing member of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO Berlin) from his appointment in 1955 until his retirement 30 years later, and maintained an ongoing relationship with the orchestra.
Wangemann was born in Leipzig in 1920. Previously a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, he joined the DSO-Berlin in 1955 under its former moniker, the RIAS Symphonie Orchester, which was renamed the Radio Symphonie Orchester Berlin in 1956.
From 1962 he was a member of the orchestra’s board, helping secure the future of the orchestra financially and artistically. ’The struggle for the continued existence of orchestras has always existed and probably always will,’ Wangemann allegedly said on New Year’s Eve in 1966.
After Lorin Maazel left his eleven-year stint as chief conductor in 1975, the board embarked on a lengthy search to find his replacement. Wangemann advised against hasty decisions in order to find a leader with artistic quality. ’Great conductors start working with the orchestra where others stop,’ he said.
The orchestra then hired Riccardo Chailly as chief conductor (1982-1989) and Peter Ruzicka as artistic director (1979-1987). Wangemann became a member of the board of trustees in 1977 as the orchestra’s representative.
Wangemann received the Federal Cross of Merit in recognition for his work. He retired in 1985 and was made an honorary member of the orchestra. He remained connected to the DSO Berlin after his retirement, attending concerts and chronicling the history of the ensemble until he was 100 years old. The orchestra celebrated his 100th birthday in January 2020.
The DSO-Berlin stated that no one had been committed to the orchestra as long as Wangemann: ’His life for music was exemplary and extraordinary in every respect. After a long, meaningful and fulfilling life…we say goodbye to an exemplary person and musician who made an invaluable contribution to the DSO.’
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