Sudden death of New York conductor-pianist, aged 43
mainNew York musicians are sharing their sorrow at the death of Lloyd Arriola, a widely known and well liked interprter and a powerful advocate of contemporary music.
Lloyd died on Sunday. No cause has been given.
From his bio:
Raised in n San Francisco, Lloyd began his career as a conductor for a local performance of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amelia Goes to the Ball. He has continued to music direct and conduct operas ranging from Julius Caesar to La Boheme to La Serva Padrona and I Can’t Stand Wagner. Recently Lloyd was one of the pianists for the world premiere of the two piano version of William Bolcom’s opera A View from the Bridge with Vertical Player Repertory theatre.
Lloyd Arriola studied at The Peabody Institute and at The Juilliard School, where he received his training from Yoheved Kaplinsky. Lloyd received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano from Juilliard in 2002, the first person of Filipino descent to receive his doctoral degree from that institution.
Pianist Lloyd Arriola Performs “Concert Piece” from Riverdale Country School on Vimeo.
I only heard Lloyd play a few times, but he was a terrific talent and such a kind man. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. What a loss not only for New Yorkers, but the world. Rest in peace, Lloyd.
I am saddened to learn this news. Lloyd and I shared a fascination with Wilhelm Furtwängler’s massive Symphonisches Konzert for piano and orchestra. He wrote an excellent dissertation (historical and analytical) on this work for his doctorate at Juilliard. We corresponded about it and later met in New York. He was a very gifted musician. May he rest in peace.
I’ll miss you. You were a gift to us all. ❤️
Very sad to read this. I spent a summer with Lloyd as students at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. He was such a kind person, very funny, and a brilliant musician. He will be missed.
Of course he was also a prolific respondent on this blog, and one of the better ones.
Very sad news . Played with Lloyd for the Edvard Grieg Society in New York. He was a very dedicated musician and a kind human being. R.I.P.
Dearest Lloyd,
We will always remember the little boy wearing his red and blue baseball jacket who followed us around. Remembering how diligent you were when it came to practice time; the vibration of the piano as you played; afraid when teased that we were going to tell on you – such funny memories of you! When I asked where are you going? You replied, “Going to SF, Jelly!” “Moving back?” “Yes. First time in 26 years”. I never knew that our last communication, would truly be the last. You will be missed.
Play on, Maestro.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Arriola family. Torres family, Seattle.
Dear Friends and Family of Dr. Arriola:
I am sadden that I did not get a chance to know Lloyd better. Each encounter was sweet. He was so gentle, positive, energetic. My condolences to his family and friends.
Such a gentle spirit.
Lloyd, you had a tremendous talent! Your kind, warm, and generous personality could be felt by all. I am saddened by your too early passing.
Lloyd, lived near our studio and often rehearsed opera singers there. His passion for music was contagious animated by biographical details of composers, conductors, and pianist. I learned so much from Lloyd — often picked his brain to discover new music, and which pianist or conductor was best for a particular piece or repertory. A generous, kind spirit who laughed easily and put a smile on your face. I miss him.
My heartfelt condolence to his family.
I met Lloyd in 4th Grade and even then I knew that he was truley brilliant. Though I was hurt to my heart when I found out my good friend had transitioned from this world, I was also over come with a seemingly odd proudness. Lloyd afforded me the bragging right to say that I was friends with a genius! Lloyd was unapologetically Lloyd all of his life, he did not adhere to social, cultural or generational norms. Lloyd was just… Lloyd… one of the few people I’ve ever met who did that thing that God created him to do all the days of his life. He was uncompromisingly that person that God created him to be, all the days of his life. Therefore, his life was complete. Well done, Lloyd. Well done.
I was looking through old pictures and came upon a picture of us at Carnegie Hall for a winners recital. He was my accompanist and he was AMAZING! He didn’t have much time to get ready but the day of the concert it was like he knew everything for years! What a beautiful and talented man and I know for sure he is playing with the Angels In heaven!! He made my undergraduate experience at Juilliard very special and will always have a special place in my heart. ♥️
I hadn’t seen this post of Lloyd’s death when it came out. Just seeing it now, though I was one of the first to know he had passed. You see, Lloyd, who was my best friend and I were to meet that day for dessert, the day before he was to move back to SF, but he never showed up. It was devastating. I was, though, honored to be able to organize, with the help of others, an enormous memorial concert for him. I live in Berlin now, where he had hoped to work and live. He lived and breathed music. We attended countless concerts together, collaborated on many projects, even toured together. Funny, crude at times, which could also be funny, supportive, a fabulous pianist and a dear friend. I miss him terribly and think of him often. Still keep a photo of him nearby. Glad to see him remembered here.