(1925-2024)
Legendary flutist and piccoloist, Walfrid Kujala died at the age of 99 on November 10 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His career spanned 47 years with the Chicago Symphony and 50 years at Northwestern University. He appeared as soloist with the Chicago Symphony under conductors Fritz Reiner, Sir Georg Solti, Antonio Janigro, and Seiji Ozawa.
Kujala was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, studying with Joseph Mariano. After graduation he began his career as second flutist to Mariano in the Rochester Philharmonic. In 1997, the National Flute Association awarded him the NFA Lifetime Achievement Award for his artistry and pedagogical contributions. He is the author of several pedagogical books including The Flutist’s Progress, The Articulate Flute, Orchestral Techniques for Flute and Piccolo, and The Flutist’s Vade Mecum of Scales, Arpeggios, Trills and Fingering Technique.
A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, in memory of Kujala’s lifelong musical legacy.
Editor’s Note: We received news of his passing as this issue was going to print. We will include additional coverage of his extraordinary life and career, including his many contributions to Flute Talk and The Instrumentalist in future issues.
