With only hours remaining in 2019, the waning year lashed out to claim its last high-profile musical victim.

Violinist Jaap Schröder has joined his former colleagues, harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt (d. 2012 at 83), flutist and conductor Frans Brüggen (d. 2014 at 79), and cellist Anner Bylsma (d. July 25 at 85) in the Great Beyond. The four recorded together, in various permutations, as chamber musicians and as members of Concerto Amsterdam.

Concerto Amsterdam was established by Shröder in 1960, employing members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The ensemble started out playing on modern instruments, using historically-informed techniques, but gradually transitioned to period instruments.

Schröder was also director and concertmaster of the Academy of Ancient Music and served as visiting music director of the Smithsonian Chamber Players. He died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 94.

Bylsma, Schröder, Leonhardt and Brüggen (pictured, left to right) perform Telemann’s “Paris” Quartet No. 4