In memory of Franz Xaver Ohnesorg
His appointment as intendant of the Ruhr Piano Festival in 2005 was followed one year later by the chairmanship of the jury for the Concours Géza Anda 2006, at the invitation of its founder, Hortense Anda.
One of the most influential figures in international music management since the early 1980s, Franz Xaver Ohnesorg was not only an enthusiastic discoverer and promoter of artists but also a tireless ambassador for the promotion of music in many shapes and genres – particularly for “classical music”.
The greatest achievement in his life was probably the creation and rise of his Ruhr Piano Festival, where his long tenure as artistic director and intendant was to come to a crowning conclusion for him at the end of this year with the last of three charity concerts on 25th November, performed by great artist friends such as Martha Argerich and Anne-Sophie Mutter for the handover to the new director of the festival, Katrin Zagrosek.
Among his wide interests, he always pursued piano music and pianists with a special passion. Therefore, it was only natural that he should let himself be persuaded to chair the jury for the 16th Concours Géza Anda 2024 out of his longstanding appreciation and relationship with his friends in Zurich.
The news of his sudden death took us completely by surprise. Our deepest thoughts are now with his family.