Eugen Gmeiner

Gmeiner, Eugen

Eugen (Friedrich) Gmeiner. Organist, teacher, b Bucharest, of Austrian parents, 26 Aug 1927, naturalized Canadian 1962, d Halifax 17 May 1977; M MUS (Michigan) 1967. He studied with Karl Walter at the Vienna Academy of Music and graduated in 1949. He was an organist-choirmaster 1951-6 in Vienna and often gave organ recitals on Austrian radio. In 1956 he emigrated to Canada, becoming music director at the Wolfville, NS, Baptist Church. He subsequently studied with Marilyn Mason at the University of Michigan. He taught 1956-77 at Acadia University, where he also was university organist. The winner of the 1962 National (USA) Organ Competition, Gmeiner performed extensively in Canada, the USA, and Europe and was recognized as an outstanding Bach interpreter. He recorded organ works of Bach - Bach, A Memorial Programme - for Fantasy Sound (1973-6, FS-23462).