Those who departed in 2014

A living legend at the podium, Abbado worked at the world's most prestigious opera companies, including the Teatro alla Scala and the Vienna State Opera. From 1989 until 2002 he was principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Abbado also also founded several international orchestras. His last performance enchanted the audience with his orchestra at the Lucerne Festival.

Known as the father of folk, Seeger was a genuine musical maverick. Enduring anthems such as "If I Had a Hammer" and "Turn! Turn Turn!" made him the leading inspiration for America's folk revival of the 1960's, spearheaded by Bob Dylan. A political agitator and civil rights campaigner, Seeger stands alongside Woody Guthrie as one of America's original folk heroes.

Few writers embodied the monumental transformations of the 20th Century quite like Gabriel García Márquez - whose work "One Hundred Years of Solitude" remains one of the century's most enduring classics. The Columbian began as a journalist and short story writer, but it was the magic realism of his novels that assured him fame. Márquez was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.

The co-publisher of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Newspaper died shortly before his 55th birthday of a heart attack. A journalist and an author of great renown, Schirrmacher's books consistently made it to the non-fiction bestseller list. Millions of readers admired his deep understanding of German society.

The death that shocked the entertainment world: Hollywood's leading funny man harbored a darker side that would tragically manifest itself in his suicide. Making his name as a comic, Williams graduated to the small screen in "Mork & Mindy" and later broke into film with landmark performances in films like "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Dead Poets Society" and "Mrs. Doubtfire."

A crisis reporter who wrote a series of best-sellers, Scholl-Latour had an uncanny ability to report his views on world politics. Nothing could escape his critical eye - whether he was writing about the German chancellor, Islam, US foreign policy or Russia. His last book, in which he sympathizes with the some views of Vladimir Putin, was published after his death.

What began humbly in Leicester's amateur theater scene rapidly blossomed into one of England's most celebrated artistic careers. Traversing both the stage and silver screen - including films "The Sand Pebbles" and "Doctor Dolittle," for which he won back-to-back Golden Globes in 1967-68 - Attenborough also flourished as a director with "Oh! What a Lovely War," "Gandhi" and "Chaplin."

Fuchsberger was one of Germany's most versatile performers and leading stars. Many grew up watching his TV shows, including crime series and Saturday night specials. As an actor, he excelled in the films of Edgar Wallace. As a sports reporter he experienced the horror that came to the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972.

Lenz was one of the greatest German storytellers of the post-war period, his books decisively and vividly dealing with the country's complex history. "The German Lesson" (1968), his best known book, deals with the Third Reich and has been translated into over 20 languages.

Moral authority, pugnacious journalist: Giordano was one of the most influential intellectuals in Germany. He became world famous with his autobiographical novel "The Bertinis," in which he tells the life of a Jewish family in Nazi Germany. He consistently called for a responsible approach to German history. Giordano was 91 years of age.

In September Jürgens celebrated his 80th birthday, and his new album "Real Life" appeared shortly after. The celebrated singer and songwriter died unexpectedly of heart failure. Germans everywhere mourned the loss. Songs such as "Greek Wine" and "I've never Been to New York" are cultural landmarks and the regular soundtrack to German festivities.

Known as the Mad Dog of English Rock, Joe Cocker came from a humble background to take his raucous brand of rock to the world. Best known for hits "With a Little Help from My Friends" (originally by The Beatles) and the duet "Up Where We Belong," Cocker was also one of the hardest working musicians on the circuit - and a perennial favorite in Germany, where he maintained an enormous fan base.