Tragic death of major quartet player

Tragic death of major quartet player

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norman lebrecht

November 20, 2018

The family has released news of the death of Levine Andrade, a founder member of the Arditti Quartet. He was 64.

An Indian student at the Yehudi Menuhin School, Levine was personally tutored by Yehudi and found his niche in cutting edge contemporary music. He played 16 years in the Arditti Quartet, retiring in 1990 to spend more time with his violinst wife, Frances, and their children.

Frances died in 2013 after giving evidence in a rape trial against her Chetham’s teacher, Mike Brewer.

Levine said she fell ‘into incredible despair’ after enduring cross-examination.

From the family’s message: ‘Levine Andrade passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He has been unwell for sometime and was taken into hospital on Monday night where he spent the next few hours with family.’

 

 

Comments

  • Very sad news indeed; a splendid musician, an outstanding viola player and a joy to work with, Levine will be much missed. My condolences to his family

  • Bill says:

    What makes this death tragic?

    • Gareth says:

      The fact he was 64? The fact he was a treasured friend and colleague to many? What is wrong with you?

      • AKP says:

        Bill is a provocative troll and best ignored.

      • Bill says:

        it’s a legitimate question. Everyone dies sooner or later, and we’ve had plenty of other deaths reported here which apparently did not rise to the level of tragic. He led a full life, he wasn’t killed rescuing kittens from a burning building, is not the sole parent of several young children, what makes this any more tragic than thousands of other deaths in the last day?

        Sad, yes. Tragic?

        • Levine was “not the sole parent of several young children”? Please check your facts. He was the father of four and his wife died several years ago. I cannot believe the unbridled meanness of your expressions here.

          • John Borstlap says:

            Indeed. There was the tragedy of his wife and now this. To quasi put it ‘in a wider context’ is not only tasteless but entirely misconceived. Imagine one would say about the 1st and 2nd world war: why keeping commemorating them? There are so many wars, today and there were so very many in the past.

        • Spenser says:

          You know, Bill, you’re being kind of a putz.

    • MSC says:

      “Tragic” and “tragedy” are, admittedly, overused, but the death of a very talented musician at the relatively young age of 64 seems not to stretch the usage too far….
      I have many valued recordings by the Ardittis.

    • What makes you need to ask? Levine was one of the finest viola players of his time and undoubtedly the most remarkably versatile; to have had to end his life at the age of 64 is indeed a tragedy. I have the most fond memories of working with him and shall miss him immensely.

  • Stephen Hope says:

    I am truly devastated by this news. I am truly humbled and honoured to have conducted what I must think was his last performance on Saturday (17th) made even more poignant by the concluding work of the programme – Mozart’s Requiem. I spoke to him at 3pm yesterday afternoon just prior to conducting a gig for him…. I can hardly believe this tragedy – rest in peace dear friend.

    Stephen Hope

    • Judith Malonda says:

      Awful news Stephen I am shocked and devastated.also RIP Levine. I knew him from when he was 16 and a student at the Royal Academy of Music.

  • RK says:

    Norman, Fran died in January 2013 ….

  • David Wilson-Johnson says:

    Saddened to read this…..sang with him leading the Mozart on Saturday…..as always a benign presence in the leader’s seat, and his gentle smiles during this performance will stay with me…..farewell, dear friend.

  • Paul Golding says:

    Levine was a lovely man and a great player. Always a pleasure to record for both reasons. The tragedy is the implied connection between his wife’s demise and his own health. Also the loss of such a player so young. Bill is clearly a TWAT

    • Jonathan Dunsby says:

      Why was the post by the troll (allegedly called ‘Bill’) not removed ? I don’t understand the webmaster’s policy. I’m a big fan of SD but I think this is too much.

  • Jennifer says:

    I also wondered about the ‘tragic’ description. If he was well enough to play or conduct as recently as Saturday, what did he die of so suddenly on Monday? Did he fall from a building? Car accident? Murdered? Poorly written story.

  • Mark Mortimer says:

    Shocked by Levine’s death- far too young. An outstanding musician & friend over many years. RIP

  • A phenomenally gifted musician and friend. Gone too soon. I am truly devastated. I had known Levine since 1968 when meeting him at the Menuhin School where we were both pupils.
    Prayers for Levine and his children

  • Jonathan Dunsby says:

    Mr Andrade must have suffered massively from his wife’s death, not least because of the tawdry way the cross-grilling barrister tried to use the result of the case in a plea to escape her own speeding offence.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10908662/Barrister-vilified-for-grilling-abused-violinist-uses-case-to-try-to-escape-driving-ban.html

  • Saxon Broken says:

    “Frances died in 2013 after giving evidence in a rape trial against her Chetham’s teacher, Mike Brewer. Levine said she fell ‘into incredible despair’ after enduring cross-examination”

    And some wonder why victims are often so reluctant to testify report the offenses to the police, or to testify…

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