Orchestra Life
:: Tributes
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An Endearing Legacy |
My mother, Evelyn Ayer, and sister, Jane Ayer Blegen, were members of the violin section of the Spokane Symphony for many years. Their careers overlapped for 12 of the 50+ years that one of them was a member of the orchestra...In the late summer of 2002, the idea for an endowed chair in both names was discussed with the Spokane Symphony. It was quickly approved and followed by an overwhelming response from the public to the announcement of the Ayer-Blegen Endowed Chair.
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In memoriam 2009 |
Polyphonic.org's tribute to those who made a mark on our field who left us in 2009.
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Remembering Ron Bauers |
One of the most unique contributions to our business, and one that was seemingly quite removed from the cheering crowds and great masterworks, was made by a musician and accountant named Ron Bauers. Ron died on January 12, 2009 at the age of 60. He left behind a remarkable record of achievement, a great many friends and admirers, and a gaping hole in our ecosystem.
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In memoriam 2008 |
Polyphonic.org's tribute to those who made a mark on our field who left us in 2008.
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In Memoriam 2007 |
Polyphonic.org's tribute to those who made a mark on our field who left us in 2007.
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Tribute to Milt Stevens |
Milt Stevens died sometime in the early morning of July 30th in a hotel room in Denver. He was the Principal Trombonist in the National Symphony, but he was in Denver attending the Summit Brass Conference, where he was going to be playing, teaching, even conducting.
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Homage to Rostropovich |
In 1984 Leonard Rose called upon me at the end of my studies with him and Channing Robbins at the Juilliard School of Music to try out for a position as cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra. I agreed, with trepidation, knowing that I had only a short time to prepare. Nine days later, Mstislav Rostropovich hired me to become a member of his orchestra in Washington, DC.
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Tribute to Mstislav Rostropovich, 1927-2007 |
Mstislav Rostropovich died April 26. The news came as a shock, even though we knew he had been struggling for many weeks. When we heard in February that he had been given last rites in Paris, it seemed the end was imminent. It was arranged for him to be flown to Moscow, since he wanted to be buried in Moscow. We kept our fingers crossed that he would live to see his 80th BD, and we breathed a sigh of relief when he did, and when it was lavishly observed at the Kremlin. Not long after the celebrations he re-entered the hospital, and this time there was no recovery.
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In Memoriam 2006 |
Polyphonic.org's tribute to those who made a mark on our field who left us in 2006.