Heinrich Schmelzer was a Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in the Waffen SS who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. He joined the SS-Pioniersturmbann in June, 1935 and in September 1939 was a section commander in the 3rd Company. Later as an SS-Oberscharführer (Technical Sergeant) he was the half platoon leader in the same 3rd Company, during April 1941. He moved to the Motorcycle Battalion as engineer reconnaissance platoon leader between May and August 1941. In December 1943 he was given command of the mixed Pionier Company of the Kampfgruppe Das Reich which he led until the forming of the 4th Heavy Company which he commanded until it was dissolved in August 1944. At that time he became the 2nd Company Commander until Christmas 1944, then moved to the 3rd Company which he commanded until the end of the war. Schmelzer won the Oakleaves for his actions as sector commander of the Das Reich battlegroup near Cielle and Laroche, France on 7 January.

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (c.1620–23 – between 29 February and 20 March 1680) was an Austrian composer and violinist of the Baroque era. Almost nothing is known about his early years, but he seems to have arrived in Vienna during the 1630s, and remained composer and musician at the Habsburg court for the rest of his life. He enjoyed a close relationship with Emperor Leopold I, was ennobled by him, and rose to the rank of Kapellmeister in 1679. He died during a plague epidemic only months after getting the position.

Schmelzer was one the most important violinists of the period, and an important influence on later German and Austrian composers for violin. He made substantial contributions to the development of violin technique and promoted the use and development of sonata and suite forms in Austria and South Germany. He was the leading Austrian composer of his generation, and an influence on Heinrich Ignaz Biber.

Hélène Schmitt is a prize-winning French violinist and a professor of baroque violin in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

Schmitt first started out as a chamber musician before specialising in baroque music. She spent 10 years in Bâle, Switzerland, next to Chiara Banchini and Jesper Bøje Christensen. Nowadays, she is very close to Jörg-Andreas Bötticher and Rolf Lislevand with whom she often plays in concert.