Posted on 09/01/2009 12:56:24 PM PDT by Borges
CINCINNATI – Erich Kunzel, the award-winning conductor who headed the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra since it was founded three decades ago and who won international fame through sales of more than 10 million recordings, has died. He was 74.
Kunzel was diagnosed with liver, colon and pancreatic cancer in April, but continued conducting while undergoing treatment. He died Tuesday morning at a hospital near his home in Swan's Island, Maine, said Chris Pinelo, a spokesman for the Cincinnati Pops.
On July 4, Kunzel conducted a concert at the U.S. Capitol with Aretha Franklin. He had led the National Symphony on the Capitol lawn in nationally televised Memorial Day and Independence Day concerts since 1991.
This year, he also conducted a concert in Beijing, where he and the Cincinnati Pops last year performed in opening festivities for the Summer Olympics.
Kunzel also led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops in many performances.
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Classical Music Ping
I love his orthestra’s renditions of movie themes. RIP.
RIP.
Damn! :(
What’s scary is that he had full exam just a couple of months before all this was diagnosed... Including exams for these various cancers.
For a second I thought it was a real loss.....I thought it said Evil Knievel
RIP.
Send not for whom the bell tolls ... I am saddened by his departure but trust that he will find ample employment in Heaven. I listened to him on multiple CDs and on TV, appeared to be a class act in Classical Music. My condolences for his loved ones.
It is extremely unusual to find Pancreatic cancer at an early stage (not sure though that the pancreas was his primary cancer site)
Cinci Ping. I never heard him conduct and that is something I will regret....C
Much like my regret I never heard Fritz Reiner conduct (in person).
Coincidentally, Reiner began his American career in Cincinnati in 1922.
Oh, no! I have met him before and he always came across as a very nice person. I was fortunate to be in a chorus that worked with the Cincinnati Pops.
I also thought that he did such a nice job with the Memorial Day concerts in Washington D.C. every year.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Kunzel. Thanks for the memories.
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