1/31/2025
Dear members of the Logger community,
We are sad to announce the passing of Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel, former professor of cello at the University of Puget Sound, on December 17, 2024, after a brief illness. Cordelia was a wonderful musician, educator, and cherished member of the Logger community.
Cordelia lived a life devoted to music, beginning with her early days as an award-winning cellist in Germany. It was there in 1958, that she gained attention internationally when she and her pianist sister, Eleonore, won the Munich Duo Competition, launching a celebrated global concert career. Her talents earned her many accolades, including a diploma at the Pablo Casals Competition, a laureate distinction at the Tchaikovsky International Competition, and the Felix Mendelssohn Award.
She moved to Seattle in 1975 with her husband, Rainer Miedel, who was a conductor and music director of the Seattle Symphony, along with their son, Florian. Their second son, Lukas, was born in 1980. Cordelia quickly became an integral part of the region’s musical community, teaching cello at Puget Sound. In 1988, Cordelia founded the Seattle Bach Cello Marathon, an annual event where cellists perform Bach’s Six Cello Suites, bringing music and joy to the community.
In addition to her professional achievements, those who knew her remarked on her warmth, generosity, and commitment to the causes she cared about. Cordelia’s musical legacy will live on through the generations of musicians she has inspired.
With much gratitude,
Drew Kerkhoff, Provost
Dave Wright, University Chaplain
Dr. Tracy Doyle, Director of the School of Music