Classical Seattle
Description
The past 50 years have seen a tremendous arts boom in Seattle, which has given the city not only internationally recognized classical music institutions but also great performance halls to showcase their work and that of visiting artists. From Igor Stravinsky's presence as guest conductor at the World's Fair in 1962, to Speight Jenkins's masterly production of Wagner's Ring cycle, to the work of benefactors such as Jack and Becky Benaroya, Seattle is deservingly well known as a city of the musical arts.
In Classical Seattle, Melinda Bargreen documents the lives of prominent figures in the local classical music world. Informed by Bargreen's experience as a music critic and drawing on interviews she conducted over several decades, the 35 biographical profiles presented here illuminate the conductors, performing artists, composers, arts organizers, and arts leaders who have shaped Seattle's classical music community and made world-class performances possible. Among the individuals featured are University of Washington virtuosi, Seattle Symphony maestros and musicians, and Seattle Opera directors.
Classical Seattle was made possible in part by a grant from 4Culture's Heritage Program.
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Melinda Bargreen, a Seattle-based writer and composer, was classical music critic for the Seattle Times from 1977 to 2008. She is the author of 50 Years of Seattle Opera.
Content
Introduction THE MAESTROS Milton Katims: The Toscanini Protégé Rainer Miedel and Cordelia Wikarski Miedel: The Maestro and the Maestra Gerard Schwarz: The Consummate Music Director Ludovic Morlot: The Symphonic Innovator Peter Erős: The Old-School Maestro Vilem Sokol: The Patron Saint Of The Podium Stephen Stubbs: The Early-Music Innovator George Shangrow: The People's Maestro Resident Conductors: The Vital Links in the Music Community THE IMPRESARIOS Glynn Ross: The Bantam of the Opera Speight Jenkins: The Ring Master Toby Saks: The Impresaria Louis Richmond: The Chamber Orchestra Pathfinder THE VIRTUOSI Béla Siki: The Elegant Stylist John Cerminaro: The Man With The Golden Horn Randolph Hokanson: The Old Master Silvia Kind: The Free Spirit Of The Harpsichord Eva Heinitz: The Greatest Gambist Robin McCabe: The Keyboard Diplomat Ronald Phillips: The Consummate Clarinetist Craig Sheppard: The Classicist Of The Ivories THE COMPOSERS Alan Hovhaness: The Composer of the Mountains William Bolcom: The Compositional Innovator Samuel Jones: The Harmony Seeker THE POWER BROKERS AND PATRONS William and Ruth Gerberding: The Couple Who Made Things Happen William Bain, Jr.: The Architect Of The Boardroom Hans Lehmann: The Renaissance Man Samuel N. Stroum: The Mover And Shaker Deborah (Card) Rutter: The Power Behind The Podium Sam and Gladys Rubinstein: The Key Advisors Buster and Nancy Alvord: The Practical Donors Jerry and Lenore Hanauer: The Imaginative Operaphiles John and Laurel Nesholm: The Activists For The Arts Charles Simonyi: The Genius Philanthropist Jack and Becky Benaroya: The Ultimate Benefactors Conclusion Acknowledgments Sources Index
