Barshai, Rudolf Borisovich b. September 18, 1924 d. November 2, 2010 Conductor, Violist. He shall probably be most remembered as an exponent of the works of his friend Dimitri Shostakovich. A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory where he studied both violin and viola, he was a member of the Borodin Quartet from 1945 until 1953, stopping when his work as a conductor and arranger cut into his performing time, though resentment over having to play for Stalin's funeral may have contributed to his decision to leave. In 1955 Barshai helped found the Moscow Chamber...[Read More] (Bio by: Bob Hufford) Ramlinsburg Cemetery , Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
Erasmus, Desiderius b. October 28, 1466 d. July 12, 1536 Scholar, Author, Theologian. Also known as Erasmus of Rotterdam. The foremost Christian humanist of the Renaissance, he worked for reform of the Roman Catholic Church through his writings. In books such as "The Praise of Folly" (1509) and the "Colloquies" (1518 to 1533), he satirized many in the clergy for their corruption, rote dependence on ceremony, and failure to educate the people. Erasmus asserted that true faith came from within and advocated a belief system, "the Philosophy of Christ"...[Read More] (Bio by: Robert Edwards) Cathedral of Basel, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
Frank, Otto Heinrich b. May 12, 1889 d. August 19, 1980 Holocaust survivor and father of diarist Anne Frank. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Otto served in the German army in World War I. After the war he came home to work for the family business, a bank founded by his father Michael. He married Edith Hollander in 1925 and they had two daughter, Anne and Margot. In the 1930's, to escape Hitler's persecution of the Jews, Otto moved the family to Holland, where they eventually went into hiding in 1942. The Franks and their friend were betrayed and...[Read More] (Bio by: Jennifer M.) Friedhof Birsfelden, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
Gruntz, George b. June 24, 1932 d. January 10, 2013 Musician. Acclaimed composer and keyboard player. Regarded by many to be one of the most famous jazz musicians at the international level. Gruntz was a pianist, composer and founder of leading jazz ensembles. Born George Paul Gruntz into a family of music lovers, after training as a mechanic-electrician he studied at the conservatories of Basel and Zurich. In the '50s, he performed on piano and vibraphone at Zurich Jazz Festival, where he won several awards and where his talent was noticed by...[Read More] (Bio by: Ruggero) Friedhof am Hörnli, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
Oppenheim, Meret b. October 6, 1913 d. November 15, 1985 Artist. Born in Berlin and raised in Switzerland, she moved to Paris in 1932. She won notoriety for her Surrealist objects, especially "Breakfast in Fur" (1936) and "My Nurse" (1936). (Bio by: Robert Edwards) Friedhof Birsfelden, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
b. September 18, 1924 d. November 2, 2010
