Durban violinist Fred Wachs was shot dead last night in a hijack attempt as he was returning to his home after going out to get a take-away dinner. He died minutes later in the grounds of his house with his wife Barbara beside him.

Fred was a founder member of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra when it was launched in 1983. While officially retired from the orchestra for the last few years, he has continued to perform regularly with the KZNPO as an extra player. For years, Fred and Barbara ran the coffee shop in the Playhouse Foyer and they had recently started doing a coffee service for the Thursday night KZNPO concert audiences at the City Hall. In fact, last week’s concert was their first night.

With his strong outlook on life, Fred was much loved by all his colleagues and was a great source of energy and optimism.

“We are very much saddened by his passing,” says Bongani Tembe, KZNPO artistic director. “He was an asset to the orchestra, had such a bubbly personality. He got on with everybody and never said a single negative word about anyone.”

Tonight, the KZNPO will perform in the City Hall at 19h30 as usual in a programme titled Bewitching featuring Israel pianist Daniel Gortler who will play Mozart’s D minor Piano Concerto. The orchestra will honour Fred Wachs by performing an extra item on the concert programme. This will be Nimrod by Elgar, chosen for its gentle, soothing nature.