Classical Music News

Violinist Werner Hink has Died, Age 81

May 24, 2024

2 MIN READ

Hink served as concertmaster for the Vienna Philharmonic

Born in Vienna, Austria, Wener Hink was a graduate of the Vienna Conservatory under Luise Bilek and the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts under Franz Samohyl.

In 1964, he joined the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. A year later, he got a job at the Vienna Philharmonic as a first violinist. In 1974, he became the latter's concertmaster, a role he kept until his retirement in October 2008. While there, he formed the Vienna String Quartet with members of the Vienna Philharmonic and made recordings for RCA and Camerata.

After serving on the Vienna Court Orchestra from 1974, he became a professor at the Vienna Conservatory in 1982 — succeeding his former teacher Samohyl.

Later in his career, from 1991 to 2010, he taught at the Pacific Music Festival (PMF) in Sapporo, Japan. He also served on the Jury of the Fritz Kreisler International Violin Competition.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the May 21 passing of former Wiener Philharmoniker concertmaster Werner Hink," PMF wrote on their Facebook. "His impact on PMF also was indelible, spanning 15 summers between 1991 and 2010 and influencing generations of Academy musicians as a faculty member of PMF VIENNA. His performances captivated audiences, as a soloist and chamber musician in addition to his orchestra playing. We will forever be grateful for his immeasurable contributions to PMF. May he rest in peace."