In Memoriam Franz Xaver Ohnesorg

Stefan Englert: »Franz Xaver Ohnesorg was a visionary music manager who established the Kölner Philharmonie as one of Europe's leading music centres. The Gürzenich Orchestra, as the house orchestra of this wonderful and renowned concert hall, mourns his loss.«

It is with great sadness that we learnt today of the sudden and unexpected death of Franz Xaver Ohnesorg. As the founding director, he played a key role in shaping the success story of the Kölner Philharmonie for 16 years. With his passion and creative drive, he created the basis for a concert hall that we as the Gürzenich Orchestra have been able to call home for more than 30 years. Franz Xaver Ohnesorg was a regular and valued guest at our concerts. We will miss him. Our thoughts are with his family.

»I am saddened and shocked by the death of my friend Franz Xaver Ohnesorg. He was an important voice on the classical music scene and a very influential personality in the history of the Gürzenich Orchestra and the cultural city of Cologne. I will miss his joy and enthusiasm for music,« says François-Xavier Roth.