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WALTER HAUTZIG Obituary
September 28, 1921-January 30, 2017. Cherished husband of the late Esther, adored father of Deborah and David (Terri) and grandfather of Molly DeVries and Jeri and Sam Hautzig. Service at Plaza Memorial Chapel, 91st and Amsterdam, Thursday, February 2 at 1:00pm. Donations in his memory can be made to Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins U. or the Jerusalem Academy of music.
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Deborah Hautzig
January 28, 2025
On Jan. 30 --two days from now--it will be 8 years since I lost you. But I never really lost you. I hear you playing the piano all the time on CD's; I have millions of photos and letters and postcards you sent to me when you were on tours; I talk to you in my head and ask for advice, and always know what you would tell me.
Your humor and optimism and strength keeps me going, and the same with Mom. Thank you for being my parents.
Schulzy
January 25, 2025
Always loved and missed. You were one of a kind, Uncle Walter.
Deborah Hautzig
January 29, 2024
I must amend my last entry! Of course my father never met Grieg (he was dead) and I meant to say Severud, another Norwegian composer with whom my family became friends
Schulzy
January 26, 2024
Still so loved and missed. Still wonder who that new family is wandering around in the apartment across from mine, which in my heart will always belong to you and your family. Love you, Uncle Valter.
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Deborah Hautzig
January 25, 2024
It's me again, Daddy, your favorite daughter. I just listened to the Grieg concerto which you performed at the U.N. and heard you practicing at home--I know every note. You told me you once met him on one of your concert tours in Norway and you said that after seeing the landscape there, you understood his music in a way you hadn't before. Your Yahrzeit was Jan. 13, 2024 ,but you are so alive in me and always will be.
Carmen Laube
January 26, 2023
Six years without your music and your positive outlook. Miss you, Uncle Valter.
Deborah Hautzig
January 25, 2023
Today is my father's Yahrzeit. Last night I listened to him play The Emperor Concerto with the Jerusalem Academy orchestra. I am so so so lucky to still be able to hear him play!!! Daddy, I miss you every minute.
Daniel Paul Horn
January 27, 2021
Participating in the circle of Hautzig students drawn together by Lynn Rice-See has reminded me afresh how much I owe to Walter Hautzig, and how many facets of his musicianship and pedagogy keep finding their way into what I try to do today. I continue to honor his memory.
Matthew Manwarren
January 26, 2021
Grateful to Mr. Hautzig for what he has meant to my career. Lessons with him were unforgettable, and I am thankful to be a part of his legacy.
Lynn See
January 25, 2021
How I miss this magnificent man! I was so blessed to have been close to him for so many years. I don't know whether to choose, "student" or "friend." I was honored to know him in both ways.
John DesMarteau
January 25, 2021
There is group of Walter's students, all of whom are distinguished pianists in their own right, organized by Lynn Rice-See, who get together regularly online via Zoom or via email to celebrate his life, his teaching, his playing and especially the kindness of his spirit. Walter and I always used to joke on our almost daily calls for the better part of 20 years that we were the brothers we never had. Although not one of his students, I'm fortunate to be included in the group. All of us express the same feeling: we miss him more and more with the passing of time.
David Levy
April 13, 2020
I always preface any reference to Walter with the words, "My esteemed teacher." As a pianist, I was a late bloomer when I arrived as a graduate student at Peabody in the fall of 1966. I was floundering a bit while studying with another teacher. He took me under his wing and prepared me over the course of about six weeks for my Master's recital, which I probably couldn't have done without him. In later years, I played for him about once a year, starting in about 1986, up through about 2003, which was the last time I was in touch with him. He remained a mentor, teacher, and I dare say an encouraging friend, and he was perhaps the kindest man I ever knew. I shall never forget him and what he did for me, at Peabody and later.
Monte Wasch
February 1, 2020
Before West End Avenue, Walter and Esther lived next door to me and my family on the 7th floor of 336 W. 95th Street. When Esther was a young bride, my mother shared recipes with her. Walter's piano was right up against my bedroom, and I am convinced that my musical talent (such as it is) was created when I was still in the cradle, so to speak. I studied with Walter for about seven years, lost touch with him and was happily reunited when my wife and I moved to Columbia County and discovered Walter and Esther in Spencertown.
Mary OConnor
January 31, 2020
West End Avenue will never be the same without Walter. There is not a time when I step onto that street or think of the street that I do not think of him. Turning to go into Walter and Esthers building, my heart was always ALWAYS happy and looking forward to the warmth of their home and their lively loving selves. So vibrant and ... well, musical in the rhythm of the love of conversation, stories, sharing. Even the last time I entered the building, apprehensive of the Walter I would see, there was nothing to fear or dread. He was smiling and welcoming on that sunny January morning. What a gift to me. Thank you, Debbie, for inviting us in. Love always.
John DesMarteau
January 29, 2020
It's been 3 years since my dear, dear friend Walter passed. As many of his extensive musical family know, I met Walter in 1996 when I was contemplating starting a classical record label. Walter supplied the music for the first release that year. Over the years we became close as we released a total of 8 albums together.
Early on I started to attend the annual masterclass Walter conducted at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Although I do not consider myself a pianist, I marveled at Walter's mastery of the music his students were playing for him. More importantly, and most impressive was his gentle mannerism in dealing with oft very nervous young people. As an aside, no one could touch his pianissimo.
Through Walter I became integrated into the piano family in Rock Hill. There was one event that I doubt I will ever forget. The late Allen Kindt, himself a professor of piano, had a lesson with Walter to go over the Grieg Piano Concerto that Allen would soon be playing the solo part. Instead of simply have Allen work through the piece, Walter asked that a second piano be brought onto the stage; he would play the orchestral part, which he sight read. An entirely magical moment.
As Walter grew older, and especially as Esther, the wife he clearly loved so much, sadly developed Alzheimer's I phoned Walter almost every day. After his heart attack, I made sure it was every daysomething we both looked forward to. In order to spend more time with Walter, I started going to New York City, where we would link up and travel together to Rock Hill and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Walter always said I was the brother he never had and he was the brother I never had. Although, I'm not Jewish, Walter was a mensch in every way.
I miss him more and more with each passing day. I know his children and grandchildren must as well. Somewhere in a concert hall in the sky, he is enthralling audiences with his playing and his marvelous anecdotes.
Diane Flood Taylor
January 28, 2020
As I have heard it told, from the age of 4, it was evident that Walter was a child prodigy. His talent literally saved his life in the face of the Nazi regime taking over his beloved Vienna. As the recipient of a scholarship to continue his study of piano, young Walter left his family and his home, at age 16, and traveled across the globe to live in Jerusalem for 2 years before reuniting with his parents and settling in NYC. Walter's talent and passion for piano translated into a life time of extraordinary music that he shared with those fortunate to hear him play around the globe as well as right here in NYC. I remember Walter as a famous, internationally renowned pianist, a delightful and funny man, the father of my dear friend, Debbie.
Bernie Lewinsky
January 26, 2020
Walter was a great friend to my entire family. We all first met Walter when he was in El Salvador for a concert in 1956 and he became part of my family. He was at my Bar Mitzvah, an event he never forgot! He was sweet to my mother who was paralyzed and bedridden in her last years. He always stopped in San Francisco on his way to Japan and stopped and played her piano to entertain her just a little bit! Walter always was part of our family and he enlightened us all with his music and charm. He IS part of my family and he is missed tremendously....all the time! RIP, Walter...you will live with us forever through your lovely music.
Deborah Hautzig
January 25, 2020
Walter Hautzig was my father. I adored/adore him and miss him constantly.He lives on in me and informs my life every day in every way, as does my late mother, Esther Hautzig. I am the luckiest person in the world to have had them as my parents.
Sherri Kramerson
February 5, 2017
He graced our presence at the Nassau Shul on various occassions, and we were the lucky ones. So sorry on the loss to the family. Here's to a life well lived.
Rick Murray
February 2, 2017
I met Walter once here in San Francisco through his cousin and my dear friend, Peter Neubauer. Although our meeting was brief, I could clearly sense what a special man Walter was. He made a remarkable life out of his God-given musical genius. He met and became friends with famous people all over the world. I love music and I cannot even begin to imagine possessing the musical gifts that Walter had! With me he was very down-to-earth, genuine and had a wonderful sense of humor and a great sparkle in his eyes. I send my heartfelt condolences to all of Walter's family members and many dear friends.
Roger Pluijm
February 1, 2017
In the late 1970's we did sell many Vox-Turnabout records at Dankers Music Rotterdam / The Netherlands; I do remember te rare record covers such as Schubert/Hautzig; in the early 2000's I discovered mr. Hautzig again on Americus Records; I bought all the CD's at once; for me he is a legend, not known so widely as others, but a phenomenon for sure. The so called Jersualem Encore filmed movement is one of my favorites.
Danny Kelley
February 1, 2017
I received the Master of Music Degree under Walter Hautzig at the Peabody. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend. I shall never forget him and the impact he had upon upon so many of his students. I shall forever remember this wonderful man and musician.
Carmen Laube
January 31, 2017
Beloved neighbor for 50 years. His practicing has been the soundtrack to my home life. He and Esther always treated me like their second daughter. He will always be loved and will be sorely missed.
Marta Kaplan
January 31, 2017
I was a close college friend of your mother, one of her bridesmaids. Over the years I kept some contact with your family. I spoke to your father last when your mother died. Their friendship was always important to me.
With Walter Hautzig at Steinway Hall, 2 October 2011
Daniel Paul Horn
January 31, 2017
I had the privilege of studying with Walter Hautzig for two years at the Peabody Conservatory. Through his warmth, passion, humor, and inimitably colorful way of expressing himself, he gave me much. He connected me with the old grand manner of playing, and taught me much about technique in a very practical way that I was not able to fully comprehend until years later, as I began teaching myself. We remained in contact through the years; he was always willing to offer encouragement and advice, and on one occasion welcomed my wife to his West End Avenue apartment. His 90th birthday recital at Steinway Hall was a particularly special event that will be always remembered. I, along with so many other former students, know that having worked with him and heard him play will remain a great gift. I am grateful to God for him, and wish blessings on the family he leaves behind.
Harcourt Waller
January 31, 2017
Walter Hautzig was my teacher at Peabody as well as participating in his master classes in Hartford and Winthrop. It is hard to believe that he is no longer in this world.
Charlotte Mueller
January 31, 2017
Mr. Hautzig was my teacher at Peabody for 4 years and we remained in touch thereafter. His beautiful piano playing was an extension of a soul beyond compare. He was a joy to be around and he always did whatever he could to make life better for others. I'm grateful to have known him and so proud that he was my teacher. My deepest sympathies to his children and grandchildren at this difficult time.
Monte Wasch
January 31, 2017
I am sorry to learn of Walter's death. I was his student (and next door neighbor) from the age of seven through my early teen years. Walter and Esther were great friends of my mother. I miss them both. Every time I touch the piano, I will think of him and how he inspired me.
--
Monte Wasch
New Lebanon, NY
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