Chicago mourns Reiner man
mainHired by Fritz Reiner in 1954, the violinist Edgar Muenzer played 47 years in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra until his retirement in 2001.
He liked to conduct and, with his wife Nancy, founded the award-winning Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, where his son, Victor, is the present music director.
Edgar Muenzer, Chicago stalwart, died on Friday at the age of 88.
He was a wonderful musician, and a wonderful person. During the years I was “second lieutenant” at the Ravinia Festival (1969, 1973-77), I had the good fortune to spend time informally with Edgar Muenzer — between afternoon rehearsals and evening performances, we would talk on the lawn or in my tiny office.
What a spirit of decency and good will always informed everything he said and did.
That was well over 40 years ago now, but the memory of his warm personality and personal kindness has been with me ever since. I consider myself very lucky to have had an opportunity to know him.
Condolences to his family.
MARCUS OVERTON
A heck of a nice guy and a wonderful violinist!
Edgar leaves a wonderful legacy of great music and good will. At an age when many begin to coast (66) , he founded the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra which performs classical music at a high level in Park Ridge’s historic Pickwick Theatre. Bravo ! !