German Violinist Martin Manz has Died, Aged 64

Manz played with the Munich Philharmonic orchestra for over three decades

The Munich Philharmonic has sadly announced the death of one of its first violinists, Martin Manz, who was just 64 years old. He was a member of the orchestra for 38 years, but was forced to retire in 2021 due to health issues.

Born in Augsburg in 1958, Manz began learning the violin at the age of five. He spent the entirety of his career with the Munich Philharmonic, having been appointed to the second violin section in 1983. His only time away from the orchestra came in 1989, when he spent two years studying with Franco Gulli at Indiana University.

Following this sabbatical, Manz returned to Munich, and was welcomed back into the fold — but this time as a member of the first violin section, which allowed him to experience well-worn repertoire afresh.

Manz's early teachers were Rudolf Koeckert in Munich and Gerhard Hetzel in Vienna. Though he concentrated on the violin, he was also a skillful guitarist.

"His warm, dark and sweet sound, which he conjured up from his wonderful Gagliano violin — a legacy from his teacher R. Koeckert — shaped the warm, 'German' Munich Philharmonic sound for decades," said Manz's colleague, Wolfram Lohschutz.

Our condolences to Mr. Manz's family, friends, and colleagues.