Cellist Wolfgang Laufer has died
Wolfgang Laufer. Photo courtesy of the Fine Arts Quartet website.
Wolfgang Laufer, cellist in the Fine Arts Quartet since 1979, died Wednesday. The cause was undisclosed as of Thursday, but Laufer had been seriously ill for some time. Before a Fine Arts Quartet concert on March 7, Laufer, obviously ailing, told his audience that he would leave the quartet due to health issues.
Laufer was 64. He died June 8 at Froedert Hospital, in the company of his wife, Mariana, and their children, Daniel and Judy.
Laufer was born in Romania and emigrated to Israel in 1961, where he completed his musical education at the Tel Aviv Academy. He was principal cellist of the Israel Chamber Orchestra before taking up a more nomadic musical life. He was principal cellist at the Malmo Symphony Orchestra, in Sweden, and played in the Hamburg Philharmonic and State Opera, in Germany. He appeared widely as a chamber musician and featured soloist, as well.
About 10 years ago, the quartet negotiated a special contract that placed the group as a unit in the office of the dean of the Peck School of the Arts. That removed the four players (violinists Ralph Evans and Efim Boico and violists Nicolò Eugelmi comprise the remainder) from the music department and from teaching duties. Since then, Laufer spent more and more time in Atlanta, where son Daniel is associate principal cellist in the Atlanta Symphony.
The funeral will be held in Atlanta on June 12. Plans are being made for a memorial service in Milwaukee, on a date to be announced.
Donny and I are devastated loosing this gorgeous man,good longtime friend with a lot of memories for me from early age and a fantastic cellist. My heart is crying!!!
Donny is very upset he won’t be at the funeral on Sunday(being in Birmingham playing and teaching in a Suzuki festival),he wanted so much to share w/you.He admired Wolfi and saw him as a mentor when they talked a lot.
Thinking of him and all of you since we have heard about his illness.
Keep strong for him because this is what he would want you to be.
Love and hugs,
Rachel&Donny
i’m in absolute shock about wolfie’s passing. he was the nicest, sweetest man — besides being an amazing musician. the world is less special because of this loss. My love to Marianna and the kids. please let the milwaukee contingent know of any plans in town to honor him.
Jane Kramer
Dear Marianna, my deepest condolense.
I`m so glad that I got the chance to talk to you both some time ago.
My warmest thoughts to you,Danny and Judy.
Love
Maggi
Draga Mariana,
Suntem profund impresionati si tristi de diparitia lui Wolfi.
Va dorim sa fiti tari in aceste momente grele.
Sincere condoleante,
Anca si Mirel
R.I.P. Wolfgang Laufer. You helped me much as a listener learning about music.
Wolfgang Laufer taught me gold! I think of Laufer’s generosity as a teacher and friend everyday. He is dearly missed, and his legacy will live on forever through his students, the lives he touched and everyone who heard his beautiful music.
Dear Mariana, Dany and Judy,
We feel the loss at the same time we feel proud of him as he had won so many hearts and he will live forever in the hearts of music lovers as well as in the hearts who were touched by his wonderful nature.
May his soul rest in Eternal peace.
[…] Ralph Evans took the microphone to announce the group’s tribute to longtime Wolfgang Laufer, who passed away on June 8. The Quartet, with returning guest cellist Ronald Thomas, dedicated Alexander Glazunov’s […]
Dear Marianna, Dany and Judy:
I was visiting at Le Club tonight and I ran into our friend Martha. She told me about Wolfgang. I was totally taken off guard. I am so sorry. Wolfgang was always so sweet. A gentleman with a HUGE sensitive soul. A kind, caring man. I thought of you both tonight when I arrived on the pool deck. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I would like to know when you will have a service to honor Wolfgang in Milwaukee. I want to be there. All my love, Anita Hargarten Krier
[…] Cellist Wolfgang Laufer has died | ThirdCoast DigestJun 9, 2011 … Laufer was cellist of the Fine Arts Quartet from 1979 until March of this year. […]