Aristid von Würtzler

Aristid von Würtzler was a Hungarian-American harpist and composer born in Hungary in 1925. Würtzler studied the piano and cello before transitioning to the harp at age 12. They attended the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and performed with the Hungarian State Orchestra between 1951 and 1956. Following the 1956 revolution, they relocated to the United States and served as the first harpist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Würtzler was a professor at the University of Hartford between 1963 and 1970 and established annual master classes. In 1970, they established the New York Harp Ensemble, which performed in over 60 countries and recorded numerous albums. Their career included performances at the White House and for Pope John Paul II in 1985. Würtzler’s works include the piece “Concert Improvisation” (1969). Würtzler died in 1997.