Walter Deutsch, a celebrated music scholar and prolific broadcaster, has passed away at the age of 101. ORF’s Radio Niederösterreich first reported the news of Deutsch’s passing.
Videos by Suggest
Though not widely recognized in the United States, Deutsch was a significant figure in the global folk music community. He gained acclaim as both a distinguished researcher of folk traditions and a passionate advocate who brought this rich musical heritage to the public.
He was the host of the long-running radio show AufhOHRchen, which has been sharing the “treasures of folk music” with audiences since the 1960s. Deutsch, who passed away on Monday, was also a familiar face on the television program Fein sein, beinander bleibn (translated as Be Nice, Stay Together).
He was a trailblazer in the academic world, founding the Institute for Folk Music Research and Ethnomusicology at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. According to ORF, he led the program from 1965 to 1993, shaping its direction and legacy. In the 1990s, he served as the head of the Austrian Folk Song Institute and later became its “honorary president,” a title that reflected his enduring influence and lasting contributions to the field.
Walter Deutsch Also Wrote Three Operas
As a composer, Deutsch created numerous songs set to the texts and poems of Emil Breisach, alongside three operas. His diverse body of work also includes music for stage and ballet, dances, marches, piano compositions, chamber music, cantatas, and choral arrangements. In celebration of his 90th birthday, a CD featuring a selection of his songs was released.
On April 29, 2023, Deutsch marked his 100th birthday. Starting in 2022, he began transferring his Vorlass—an extensive collection of research papers, manuscripts, books, and sheet music—to the Österreichisches Volksliedwerk, preserving his legacy for future generations.
Alexander Hofer of ORF paid a poignant tribute to Deutsch.
“In his broadcasts on ORF television and Radio Niederösterreich, he knew how to share his enthusiasm for music and his knowledge of it,” Hofer wrote. “He contributed a lot to passing on this important cultural asset and to conveying the traditions of our country. He left behind a valuable legacy. Our thoughts are with his family – we remember the wonderful, long-term collaboration with a warm and loyal companion.”