Entertainment · Music · 1 hr ago
Jazz musician Dieter Glawischnig dies aged 88
Dieter Glawischnig died aged 88 on October 1 in a hospital in Graz, Austria.
The pianist, composer and teacher was born in Graz and spent much of his career in Hamburg.
He led the NDR Bigband from 1980 to 2008, helping move the ensemble towards modern jazz.
He also founded a jazz degree programme at the University of Music and Theatre Hamburg in 1985, one of Germany’s first, and taught there until his retirement in 2003.
His work included projects combining jazz with poetry and music commemorating the 1938 November pogroms.
His influence continues through the partnership between the university and the NDR Bigband, which remains in place.
Jazz pianist, composer, conductor and educator Dieter Glawischnig died on 1 October at the age of 88.
He led the NDR Bigband from 1980 to 2008, helping move its repertoire towards modern jazz.
In Hamburg, he established a jazz programme at the University of Music and Theatre Hamburg and founded its degree course in 1985.
His work included projects combining jazz with texts by poet Ernst Jandl and a composition commemorating the November pogroms of 1938.
- Who
- Dieter Glawischnig, an Austrian jazz pianist, composer, conductor and educator.
- What
- He died at the age of 88.
- When
- 1 October 2026.
- Where
- In a hospital in Graz, Austria.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Glawischnig took part in the early establishment of jazz at university level in Graz.
He began leading the NDR Bigband and worked in Hamburg.
He founded the jazz degree course at the University of Music and Theatre Hamburg with university president Hermann Rauhe.
He was made professor emeritus.
He ended his leadership of the NDR Bigband.
Glawischnig died in a hospital in Graz at the age of 88.
- Age at death
- 88
- Date of death
- 1 October 2026
- NDR Bigband leadership
- 1980–2008
- Hamburg jazz degree course founded
- 1985
- Place of death
- A hospital in Graz, Austria
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What people are saying
The music world and we at NDR are losing an exceptional musician, teacher and pioneer, whose alert mind and attitude will be missed. We will honour his legacy.
Dieter Glawischnig shaped generations of musicians, and the distinctive ‘Hamburg sound’ was founded through his many years of work.