Former Berliner Philharmoniker Violist Dietrich Gerhardt has Died, Aged 94

The Berlin native served in the orchestra for the better part of four decades

(Photo credit: Archives of the Berliner Philharmoniker)

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker are mourning former violist Dietrich Gerhardt, who has passed away at the age of 94.

Born in Berlin in 1928, Gerhardt studied at the Musikhochschule Freiburg im Breisgau, and played in the Südwestfunk, the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, and the orchestra of Radio Bremen before returning to his home city.

Gerhardt gave the better part of four decades of service to the Berliner Philharmoniker, serving in the viola section between 1955 and 1993. The timing of his arrival in Berlin was fortuitous, as it coincided exactly with that of Herbert von Karajan — marking the beginning of one of the orchestra's most celebrated eras.

Alongside his contributions as a player, Gerhardt was passionate about the orchestra's democratic independence. He spent a combined total of twelve years in the orchestra's Council of Five, and was a member of the Board between 1972 and 1976.

He also served at the Berlin University of the Arts from 1988 to 1995 and as a founder of the orchestra's Karajan Academy, which began in 1972.

Our condolences to Gerhardt's family, friends, and colleagues.