Sadness as cancer claims a leading US orchestra chief
NewsWe have been informed of the death last night of Anne Parsons, the woman who turned around the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from a ruinous strike to relative prosperity. Anne, who was 64, was Executive Director of the Detroit Symphony for 18 years.
She stepped down from the job in December as cancer began to take its deadly toll.
Her masterstroke was installing Leonard Slatkin, a calming and creative influence, as music director. Her own manner was discreet, focused and economical.
Before joining Detroit in 2004, she worked for New York City Ballet, the Hollywood Bowl, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C.
May she rest in peace.
(pictured with her husband, Donald Dietz)
It was my honor and privilege to work with Anne even before Detroit. She was a true force of nature, fighting for what she believed in. Despite tremendous pressure, she managed to turn a highly unstable situation in Detroit into one of the most vital musical organizations in the United States.
And she always maintained a positive outlook on life. I was told in late December that she only had a few days left, and yet Anne managed to continue her battle with cancer. We spoke just a couple weeks ago and she continued her upbeat demeanor.
Now she can rest.
Leonard, we have not met, but my wife, Mary Ann, worked with you as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 26 years. We also heard you a number of times at Aspen. We feel the same at this news as we felt upon losing Judith Arron at Carnegie Hall. Their legacy follows them, as will yours. Thank you for a beautiful tribute to Anne.
This hurts. I had the great pleasure of working with Anne, Leonard, Paul Hogle and the entire Detroit Symphony team – including many of the musicians – in restoring the audience after the strike and in the seasons that followed. She was rock steady through the strike, amazingly patient, and brought the orchestra to the other side as a more flexible, responsive institution. Hers has been a struggle. May her soul rest well. “Ruhe sanfte, sanfte ruh.”
She was a great supporter of me at the start of my career and throughout. May she rest in Peace and Comfort now.
Hi Chelsea! Good to find you find you over here. Hope all is well. I remember our good times at Eastman, particularly the trio version of l’Histoire. Be well!
Anne was the rare combination of brilliant leader, a friend, a colleague and inspiration. And she did it all with a smile, humor and humility. She set the bar real high for us all.
Those jobs kill – they’re just not worth it.
Anne was a huge talent and did a great job with the Detroit Symphony under difficult circumstances .
We first met when Anne was a teenager as she was from Portland, Oregon and her father was on the Oregon Symphony Board of Directors during my tenure there as CEO ( 1972-78) .
Where is the pic of Anne? Only her husband is showing in the pic accompanying the article.
A Titan in orchestra management. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest . . .
Sorry to hear of this loss. We need more people to step forward to promote classical music in the United States. I appreciate the efforts of Ms. Parsons in saving one of our greatest orchestras.