Peter Fridecky, former ORF Lower Austria editor, dies at 61

Peter Fridecky, a former editor at ORF Lower Austria, has died at the age of 61 after a short, serious illness, ORF reported. His family described him as a musician “with all his heart and soul”.

Music was Fridecky’s life. He began trumpet lessons at the Wiener Neustadt music school at the age of 10 and gained his first experience with the youth brass band in Bad Fischau-Brunn. He later played in big bands, supported prominent musicians including Ludwig Hirsch and Falco on trumpet, and founded the Fridecky brass band in 1993.

Fridecky worked for ORF Lower Austria for almost 15 years, contributing expertise on regional folk music and folk culture. His main focus was southern Lower Austria. He also worked as a recording manager and presenter for the Sunday morning programme.

“We have no words for this indescribable loss. Our consolation is Peter’s music,” his family said.

Fridecky also taught music at the Hauer Music School in Wiener Neustadt, at the conservatory and most recently at the BRG school in Gröhrmühlgasse. He was also a systemic coach and a trained hiking guide, with a particular fondness for Schneeberg, Rax and Hohe Wand.