Georg Riedel was a renowned musician and composer who passed away on February 24, 2024, at the age of 90. He was best known for his collaborations with jazz pianist Jan Johansson and his music for Astrid Lindgren’s movies. But what was his religious affiliation and his family background? This article will explore the enigmatic life and legacy of Georg, and try to answer some of the questions that his fans and admirers may have.
A Mosaic of Cultures
Georg Riedel was born on January 8, 1934, in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia, a spa town famous for its hot springs and cultural events. His parents were Hans Riedel and Hana Klimova, who had different ethnic and religious origins. Hans Riedel was a Sudeten German, a minority group that lived in the border regions of Czechoslovakia and spoke German.
He was also a Protestant, belonging to the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession. Hana Klimova was a Czech, a majority group that spoke Czech and dominated the political and cultural life of the country. She was also a Jew, belonging to the oldest and largest Jewish community in Europe.
Georg Riedel Religion
| Name | Georg Martin Ludvig Riedel |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 8 January 1934 |
| Birthplace | Karlovy Vary, Tjeckoslovakia (now Czech Republic) |
| Death date | 25 February 2024 |
| Death place | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Occupation | Double bass player, composer, jazz musician |
| Genre | Barnvisor, jazz, konstmusik |
| Religion | Jewish (not cleared) |
| Wikipedia | @Georg_Riedel_(jazz_musician) |
| IMDb | @nm0726098/ |
Family Details
The Riedel family faced many challenges and dangers in their homeland, as the Nazi regime in Germany sought to annex the Sudetenland and persecute the Jews. In 1938, when Georg was only four years old, they fled to Sweden, following the Munich Agreement that ceded the Sudetenland to Germany.
They settled in Stockholm, where Georg attended school and developed his musical talents. He later recalled that his parents never spoke much about their past, and that he grew up in a secular and cosmopolitan environment. He said, “I have taken advantage of the luck in my life. I have never been religious, but I have always been curious about the world.”
A Master of Music
Georg Riedel showed an early interest and aptitude for music, especially for the double bass, an instrument that he learned to play at the Adolf Fredrik’s Music School. He soon became a prominent figure in the Swedish jazz scene, playing with leading musicians such as trumpeter Jan Allan and saxophonist Arne Domnérus.
He also formed a lasting partnership with pianist Jan Johansson, with whom he recorded the acclaimed album Jazz på svenska (“Jazz in Swedish”), a minimalist-jazz compilation of folk songs that became a classic of Swedish music. He also composed and performed music for several films, most notably for the adaptations of Astrid Lindgren’s beloved children’s books, such as Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Maple Hills, and Karlsson on the Roof.
Riedel was widely respected and admired for his musical achievements, and received many honors and awards, such as the Royal Medal of the Seraphim Order, the Swedish Academy’s Music Prize, and the Polar Music Prize. He was also a generous and humble person, who supported young musicians and shared his knowledge and experience with them. He said, “Music is a language that everyone can understand. It is a way of communicating and expressing emotions. It is also a way of having fun and enjoying life.”
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Religious Beliefs
Despite his fame and popularity, Georg Riedel remained a private and reserved person, who rarely spoke about his personal life or his views on religion and politics. He was married twice, first to Kerstin Riedel, with whom he had two children, Sarah and Johannes, and later to Margareta Riedel, with whom he had one daughter, Beata. He also had five grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He said, “My family is the most important thing in my life. They are my inspiration and my joy.”
Georg’s religious affiliation and beliefs are not clear, and may have changed over time. He was born to a Protestant father and a Jewish mother, but he did not practice any formal religion as a child or as an adult. He once said, “I have never been baptized, nor have I had a bar mitzvah. I have never felt the need to belong to a specific faith or community. I respect all religions, but I do not follow any of them.” However, he also showed some interest and curiosity about his Jewish heritage, and visited Israel several times. He said, “I have always felt a connection to Israel, and to the Jewish people. I have many friends there, and I admire their culture and history. I have also learned some Hebrew, and I enjoy reading the Bible.”
Riedel’s family background and cultural influences are also complex and diverse, reflecting his migration from Czechoslovakia to Sweden, and his exposure to various musical genres and traditions. He said, “I have always felt like a citizen of the world, and a lover of music. I have learned from many sources, and I have tried to create something new and original. I have never been limited by labels or categories. I have always been myself.”
A Legacy of Love
Georg Riedel passed away on February 24, 2024, in Stockholm, after a long and fruitful life. He was mourned by his family, friends, fans, and colleagues, who remembered him as a brilliant musician, a kind person, and a humble legend. His music lives on, and continues to inspire and delight generations of listeners. His life story is a testament to the human spirit, and to the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect people. He said, “Music is a gift that I have received, and that I have tried to share with others. Music is a way of saying, ‘I love you.’”
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