Scrutinizer
New member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2003
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I’ve just returned from a trip to Phily to attend a memorial service for my Aunt Barb. The events of the last few days are so overwhelming, I'm just numb. Thought I’d share this with you, because she was a big inspiration for me on many, many levels...
Barbara was a exceptionally gifted violinist who played with the Philadelphia Orchestra for 36 years. She passed away in late August.
While in high school, she would take a 5-hour bus ride from Fargo to Minneapolis every weekend to study with virtuoso Rafael Durian, then take a 5-hour bus ride home. Somehow she managed to get straight ‘A’s in all her other classes.
My "Auntie Barb" was a pack rat. She saved everything. I know that she got straight A’s because two days ago, I held her high school report cards in my own hands. It took almost two days for eight family members to sort through the boxes of mementos in Barbs condo. I am still a little numb from that experience, thankfully, there was no time to sit and reflect at the time.
Get this: we found boxes of diaries – spanning decades – nearly every page started with “practiced 2 hours” or “practiced 3 hours” or “practiced 4 hours”.
Think about it – at least 55 years, averaging at least 2 hours per day of practice, not including performances. It boggles the mind.
Barb received her bachelor's degree in music from Curtis Institute of Music in 1955 and also studied violin at William and Mary College. In ’57, she received a Fullbright Scholarship to study in Salzburg, Austria. In ’58, Barb moved back to the States, where she played with the New Orleans Philharmonic for about a year. Before joining the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1963, he played with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Bowdoin College Chamber in Maine.
Barbara was much more than a violinist. She was beautiful, elegant, and chic. An excellent cook, and according to many of her fellow musicians, her martinis were legendary. Barb loved to party, from all accounts.
Perhaps most importantly from a historical perspective, she was a champion for women musicians in classical music. The classical music world was, and in ways, still is a good-old-boys-club. She was a mentor to many young female musicians. Judy Geist (Viola, Philadelphia Orch.) told me that Barb helped open many doors for her in the classical circles, and said numerous other women string players have achieved greater success because of Barbara’s direct help.
The memorial service yesterday was very special. Appropriately, it took place in the building that she and the Orchestra called home for 36 years: the Academy of Music. Family, friends, and fellow musicians spoke. I had suspected, but did not know until yesterday how highly respected Barb was amongst her peers. According to them, she had perfect intonation, and was known for her ability to perform any piece at first reading, no matter how complex.
A string quartet from the Curtis Institute performed two pieces, one at the beginning of the service, and one at the end. And halfway through the service, about 25 string musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra performed a beautiful chamber piece. That alone was an awesome experience - I was sitting within arms reach of third stand first violinist.
I prefer to celebrate her life and accomplishments rather than mourn her passing. She was in considerable pain in her last few years (lower back problems - no doubt caused by sitting on those awful orchestra chairs), and could not do what she loved the most – play the violin.
Her close friend Joe Lanza (Assistant Principal, Second Violin, Philadelphia Orch.) said yesterday (and I paraphrase): "The world of classical music is a better place because of Barbara."
Thank you, Auntie Barb. Rest in peace.
Barbara was a exceptionally gifted violinist who played with the Philadelphia Orchestra for 36 years. She passed away in late August.
While in high school, she would take a 5-hour bus ride from Fargo to Minneapolis every weekend to study with virtuoso Rafael Durian, then take a 5-hour bus ride home. Somehow she managed to get straight ‘A’s in all her other classes.
My "Auntie Barb" was a pack rat. She saved everything. I know that she got straight A’s because two days ago, I held her high school report cards in my own hands. It took almost two days for eight family members to sort through the boxes of mementos in Barbs condo. I am still a little numb from that experience, thankfully, there was no time to sit and reflect at the time.
Get this: we found boxes of diaries – spanning decades – nearly every page started with “practiced 2 hours” or “practiced 3 hours” or “practiced 4 hours”.
Think about it – at least 55 years, averaging at least 2 hours per day of practice, not including performances. It boggles the mind.
Barb received her bachelor's degree in music from Curtis Institute of Music in 1955 and also studied violin at William and Mary College. In ’57, she received a Fullbright Scholarship to study in Salzburg, Austria. In ’58, Barb moved back to the States, where she played with the New Orleans Philharmonic for about a year. Before joining the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1963, he played with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Bowdoin College Chamber in Maine.
Barbara was much more than a violinist. She was beautiful, elegant, and chic. An excellent cook, and according to many of her fellow musicians, her martinis were legendary. Barb loved to party, from all accounts.
Perhaps most importantly from a historical perspective, she was a champion for women musicians in classical music. The classical music world was, and in ways, still is a good-old-boys-club. She was a mentor to many young female musicians. Judy Geist (Viola, Philadelphia Orch.) told me that Barb helped open many doors for her in the classical circles, and said numerous other women string players have achieved greater success because of Barbara’s direct help.
The memorial service yesterday was very special. Appropriately, it took place in the building that she and the Orchestra called home for 36 years: the Academy of Music. Family, friends, and fellow musicians spoke. I had suspected, but did not know until yesterday how highly respected Barb was amongst her peers. According to them, she had perfect intonation, and was known for her ability to perform any piece at first reading, no matter how complex.
A string quartet from the Curtis Institute performed two pieces, one at the beginning of the service, and one at the end. And halfway through the service, about 25 string musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra performed a beautiful chamber piece. That alone was an awesome experience - I was sitting within arms reach of third stand first violinist.
I prefer to celebrate her life and accomplishments rather than mourn her passing. She was in considerable pain in her last few years (lower back problems - no doubt caused by sitting on those awful orchestra chairs), and could not do what she loved the most – play the violin.
Her close friend Joe Lanza (Assistant Principal, Second Violin, Philadelphia Orch.) said yesterday (and I paraphrase): "The world of classical music is a better place because of Barbara."
Thank you, Auntie Barb. Rest in peace.
