Nikolaus Harnoncourt (6 December 1929 – 5 March 2016)

Nikolaus Harnoncourt has died.  He was one of the founding members of the Gramophone Hall of Fame.  He co-founded the Concentus Musicus Wien 1953 and went on to conduct at the Salzburg Festival.  He was descended from European royalty.

He wasn't always loved.  On my copy of Le Nozze di Figaro from Salzburg I note that he was heavily booed.  Since I followed her way before he did, I'm not willing to credit him with discovering Anna Netrebko.  I think that goes to Gergiev.

He worked on many occasions with Cecilia Bartoli, including a two disk concert with Concentus Musicus Wien.  They did primarily Mozart and Haydn together.

I have enjoyed his work in Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Monteverdi, Weber, etc.  We will miss this great maestro.