In Memoriam 2005

If, in Lincoln's phrase it is "altogether fitting and proper" that we honor the deceased, then why does it feel vaguely opportunistic to be doing so?

The question had no sooner occurred to me than I had the answer, from a little voice on my shoulder: "Because this blog, despite aiming to be an information source that unites arts lovers in Boston and beyond, a gathering place where something more personal than mere promotion occurs, is still about the Celebrity Series, the institution, an institution with an advertising budget that does care about box office receipts among other things. We can't help it, we do have commercial concerns, such as branding."

From my other shoulder came: "But each of these people came to town, met Aaron Richmond, Walter Pierce, Marty Jones, or any number of Celebrity Series staff in airports, restaurants, radio stations, backstage, in the office; sometimes at odd hours and often under circumstances that can't help but form a bond, or at least a memory. They came here, some of them quite often, and we met them, knew them. In the midst of all this they would go onstage and do incredible things. We all had/have our favorites, but they were all still part of our family (and yes, I know how corny that sounds, but this is voice on my shoulder, you'll recall)."

So in the spirit of the second voice on my shoulder, here is my list, undoubtedly incomplete, of those who have been on Celebrity Series stage(s) at some point and passed away during 2005. I am including the dates they performed for the Celebrity Series (in parentheses) because I know many of you will want to recall the performances (and, let's face it, some of you will be glad to have the memory aid). Though some of these individuals could have a number of titles and descriptions, I have included the one that best describes their appearance with us.



Victoria de los Angeles, soprano, at 81
(Celebrity Series performances: 1951, 1952, 1977, 1979)


Lazar Berman, pianist, at 74
(Celebrity Series performances: October & March 1977)

Dame Moura Lympany, pianist, at 88
(Celebrity Series performance: 1994)


Norbert Brainin, 1st violinist, Amadeus Quartet, at 82
(Celebrity Series performances: 1961, 1974, 1978, 1987)


Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor, Los Angeles Philharmonic, at 91
(Celebrity Series performances: 1979, 1982, 1983)


Isidore Cohen, violinist, Juilliard String Quartet and The Beaux Arts Trio, at 82
(Celebrity Series performances too numerous to mention, send me an email if you want the full list)

   
Thomas Kakuska, violist, Alban Berg String Quartet, at 64
(Celebrity Series performances: 1985, 1994)


John Stubblefield, tenor saxophonist, Mingus Big Band, at 60
(Celebrity Series performances: 1996, 2000)


William Vacchiano, principal trumpet (1942-73), New York Philharmonic, at 93
(Celebrity Series performances: numerous dates)


Percy Heath, bassist, Modern Jazz Quartet, at 81
(Celebrity Series performance: 1974)