Ozawa’s chorus director has died, at 75
mainIn 1973 Seiji Ozawa hired Lou Magor, 28 at the time, to conduct the San Francisco Symphony Chorus which he had just founded.
The chorus was widely praised, but Lou was shoved out by Edo de Waart in 1982. He moved to Seattle as head of the Bach Choir and other west coast ensembles.
Obituary here.
Condolences to his friends and family. I was a founding member of San Francisco Symphony Chorus in 1973. Assistant conductor Niklaus Wyss auditioned us. Our first concert was the world premiere of Schoenberg’s “Psalm”, Berlioz’s Te Deum, and Bach’s Magnificat with Ozawa conducting. We had three chorus directrors that year with Lou Magor surviving a decade.
For the audition I sang Schubert’s great Goethe-Lied “Die Grenzen der Menschheit”, “The Boundaries of Humanity”, cracking the final low E, but Wyss and the pianist were so occupied with the accompaniment that they just laughed and waived me through.
A nice memory, Edgar.
I know Peter Mintun, who wrote the excellent obituary for Westside Seattle, linked to in the posting. He is a fabulous pianist and a really nice guy, who really is the precursor to Michael Feinstein in his pianistic abilities and his interest in Tin Pan Alley music.
In the obituary, Mintun mentioned, of the chorus members, “Their jobs covered the gamut from telephone pole lineman to corporate lawyer.” Were you taking depositions or climbing poles when you auditioned, caro Edgar?
Ciao, caro Gregorio! It’s a beautiful obituary. What a life and career! Sometimes I would rather have been climbing poles, but I was a career railroader with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.
I’m also a Michael Feinstein at the Algonquin fan. Jules Styne, and Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” are favorites.
Ciao right back atcha, Edgar.
Did you happen to know the late Ray Bryant, who also worked for the AT&SFRR?
He and his wife Sylvia (a marvelous watercolor artist) were long time friends of my family.
I wish I had, Greg. After a spell in Santa Fe’s Richmond yards I was mostly at 114 Sansome Street in the Adam Grant Bldg., then in Chicago 1985-1995.