Bad Boy of Bassoon diea at 72

Bad Boy of Bassoon diea at 72

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norman lebrecht

May 31, 2020

Michael McCraw, an eminent bassoonist and influential teacher who was left with permanent injuries after being hit by a car in 2014, died on Friday. He was popularly known as the Bad Boy of the Bassoon.

His death was announced by the Historical Performance Institute of Indiana University, where he taught.

Michael McCraw started out in New York’s Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, moving to Europe in 1979 to play in Musica Antiqua Köln,  Concentus Musicus Wien, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and others. In 1991 he became principal bassoon of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto, stepping down in 2002.

He performed on more than 140 recordings.

Comments

  • Rainer Eudeikis says:

    Very sad news, RIP Michael. I have fond memories of our frequent chats at IU, and remember feeling like we had immediately become friends as soon as we met.

  • David says:

    NL, please be aware that the car accident occurred in 2014, a week after his retirement from IU. He lived a long time with the aftermath of his injuries. Thanks.

  • Kathleen says:

    Michael was a colorful and gifted character loved by so many friends, colleagues and students at IU and around the world. He will be remembered as one of the kindest people on the face of the planet. An imaginative musician that will be remembered by his legacy of beautiful recordings and thoughtful contributions to early music. He was and will always be a great inspiration to so many.
    Thank you, Michael and Rest In Peace.

  • Anthony Martin says:

    More Boy than Bad.
    We miss you, Michael!

  • Jonathan Cable says:

    This is awful news. We played together for years with Musica Antiqua Köln, always such a great pleasure.

    • Ulrich Dannenbaum , Heidelberg says:

      In euren vielen schönen Aufnahmen lebt er weiter !!
      wann macht ihr mal mit Reinhard ein Revival-Projekt oder will er von MAK garnichts mehr wissen ??

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