Sir Neville Marriner (1924-2016)

[stopbush]

The British conductor and violinist, Sir Neville Marriner, has died at the age of 92, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields says.
Sir Neville started his musical career with the London Symphony Orchestra.
He later established the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, one of the world's leading chamber orchestras.
Its chairman, Paul Aylieff, said Sir Neville's artistic and recording legacy with orchestras and audiences worldwide was "immense".
"He will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him and the academy will ensure it continues to be an excellent and fitting testament to Sir Neville," Mr Aylieff added.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37535272

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is sad news...

Now there will be music in heaven...

Rest in peace, Sir Neville...

[elleng]

2. Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner in April 2014.

[elleng]

3. Pachelbel Canon

[ManiacJoe]

4. Bummer. He will be missed.

[cemaphonic]

5. Oh, I missed this in the news.

He is one of my few celebrity encounters, and my only autograph. When I was a teenager in the early 90s, he was conducting Mozart at the Kennedy Center and I went to go see him with a few of my friends. My best friend was brash and bold, and had no use for the classical concert etiquette that says that you can't climb onto the stage and wander around backstage after the show. I was mortified but followed her anyway, sure we were going to be escorted out of the building. We found him in a small receiving room talking to some obviously rich patrons. He paused his conversation to talk to us, and my embarrassment went away when it became clear that he was absolutely tickled to have a couple of starstruck teenagers skulking around looking for him. I asked him some questions about the 'historical performance' focus of St Martin in the Fields, and he signed my program.

I've seen him conduct a few times since, including one time at St. Martin in the Fields in London, but nothing was quite as memorable as that night. Here's to one of the most brilliant and influential conductors of all time, and a kind, charming and delightful person.