Famed Vienna Philharmonic orchestra strips former Nazi leaders of honours

VIENNA – A Vienna historian says the famed Vienna Philharmonic orchestra has stripped six former senior Nazi officials of honours the orchestra had awarded them.

The decision was divulged to The Associated Press by an orchestra member on Friday and confirmed by historian Oliver Rathkolb.

Rathkolb led research earlier this year documenting the orchestra’s close co-operation with Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels and other top Hitler associates after Germany’s 1938 annexation of Austria.

The vote to revoke the awards was held at the orchestra’s annual meeting on Oct. 23 but the move was not announced at the time. Rathkolb said all ensemble members agreed then to strip the officials of rings of honour and medals.

Those losing honours included Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a top Hitler associate sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.

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