A US conductor writes a poignant farewell to his musicians
OrchestrasThe family of Gerhardt Zimmermann, conductor of the Canton Symphony in Ohio for the past four decades, has let it be known that he has been moved into hospice care.
They have made public a letter he wrote to the Canton Symphony musicians, which has also been sent to the orchestra’s supporters. It is the summation a lifetime’s love of music, shared freely with others.
Zimmermann, 77, was born in Van Wert, Ohio. He served as Assistant and the Associate Conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, 1974-1982: Music director Saint Louis Youth Orchestra, 1975-1982: North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, Raleigh, 1982-2002: Artistic Director Breckenridge (CO) Music Festival, 1993-2014, Professor of Music The University of Texas at Austin, 2006-2018.
Here’s what he writes to the musicians:
I hope this letter finds you well and surrounded by the joy of music. It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I write to you today to share some difficult news. After nearly 50 extraordinary years of leading this marvelous orchestra, it is my responsibility to inform you of a significant decline in my health and my transition to Hospice care.
Throughout the past half-century, it has been an absolute privilege and honor to stand before this exceptional group of musicians as your conductor. Together, we have created unforgettable experiences for ourselves and our audiences. The dedication, talent, and passion that each of you brings to our performances have made the Canton Symphony Orchestra a beacon of excellence in the world of classical music.
The music we have brought to life, the harmonies we have crafted, and the emotional landscapes we have traversed are a testament to the power of our collective artistry. The Canton Symphony Orchestra has become my musical family; it is the gem that many people search their whole lives for and never find and I was lucky enough to have it for so many years.
Though my body may weaken, my love for music and the incredible talent each of you possesses remains undiminished. I implore each and every one of you to continue nurturing music; embrace the beauty of every note, find inspiration in every measure, and strive for excellence in every performance. Cherish the camaraderie that exists within this orchestra, for it is the bond that fuels our collective brilliance.
Please understand that I will forever be with you in spirit, even if I am unable to stand on the podium. Your dedication, talent, and commitment have made the Canton Symphony Orchestra an artistic force to be reckoned with, and I have the utmost faith in your ability to carry that torch forward. May music always be your guide, and may the passion in your hearts continue to ignite the souls of your audiences.
Never stop pursuing the beauty that lies within each note.
Sitting in the orchestra for the first time at Bowling Green, it was as if the heavens opened up. From that moment on, a conductor was all I wanted to be. In life, if you’re going to do it, give it all you can. Live it. Breath it. Sing it. Enjoy it. Love it. Sing, sing, sing,
Gerhardt
Gerhardt Zimmermann is one of the finest conductors I know, a staunch friend and profound musicians of depth and integrity. He has graced my own life and those of many generations with interpretations of clarity, vivacity and joy. In the face of tragedy he leaves us all with a legacy of artistic ebullience and love. Bless you always, Gerhardt.
what a wonderfully loyal music director to Ohio
and an update, that Maestro Zimmermann left us this morning (June 10).
This is true greatness: honesty, letting go at the right time, and finding the right words.
Thank you for sharing this with the wider community. I am part of the local community in Canton who has been blessed with Maestro Z’s heart and soul for over 40 years. Still processing this, as his last concert was just April 30.
Beautifully written.
Some of the most profound collaborations in my life have been with Gerhardt. We started performing together in 1983 and have made music regularly ever since. In particular both Brahms concerti, all 5 Beethoven, Gershwin, Ravel and Tchaikovsky’s1st. For me there is no better partner on the podium. Gerhardt could follow a fly. He breaths with his soloists. I treasure every concert we played together and cherish his commitment and know how much the musicians in the North Carolina, Breckenridge and the Canton Symphonies adore him.
Those of us that have had the privilege to work with him, are very blessed and fortunate. Sending blessings to you dear Gerhardt!!!!
I’d never heard of Gerhardt Zimmermann but now regret never having met him. What a wonderful legacy he appears to have left. His valedictory message to the orchestra should be read to every conducting student before they launch their careers.
GZ (born Jerry Zimmer, but changed his name to sound more European) always treated his orchestra musicians well. He hired many CIM’ers to be his concertmaster in Canton, and had a sterling reputation for selecting talent…those fiddlers are now CM of major orchestras. His snafu with in Austin aside, his career was unblemished.
The letter was beautifully written and full of sincere celebration for a life well-lived.
The comments are equally moving: cherished memories and friendships help to guide our understanding of music and humanity.
Gerhardt is a musician’s musician, a friend’s friend, an incomparable conductor and a humble, generous person. Even now, he is a guiding light to our spirit, our soul, and paving the way for the future of his beloved Canton Symphony. It was so invigorating to hear his voice yesterday, and I am grateful that he had the strength to share a most beautiful conversation of my gratitude and prayers. No doubt, if and when he is summoned to join the pantheon of conductors, he will attend all the concerts of his choosing. His legacy is insurmountable, dwelling within many whose lives he embraced individually with special love and affection.
A great colleague and a wonderful human being. Sending loving thoughts.
What a beautiful letter. I’m a symphony musician and will take his message to heart ❤️
One is tempted to call this heartbreaking at the very least. But it is so Gary. Sensitive, caring about others and filled with his joy of life. What an honor it was to have him working with us in St, Louis, bringing his musical and personal skills to the community. Watching him navigate a marvellous career, I can only remember him and his infectious smile and sense of humor. Peace my friend.
Talk about commitment to music and communities and enjoying it every bit of the way. I remember his conducting in Raleigh in the early 80s. Every evening was a success and enriched the audience. May Mr Zimmermann’s journey come to a peaceful end. And thank you.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful letter. I had the honor and pleasure of performing with the maestro in the NC Symphony. His professionalism, positive energy, and musical integrity were ever-present.
One of the highlights of my musical life was our pergormance of Brahms’ violin concerto with Henryck Szeryng in 1987 (just months before his passing).
Thank you Maestro for a musical life well lived…
Peace and Godspeed.
I was a North Carolina Symphony subscriber for many of the years when Gerhardt was its music director.
Although substantial periods of time passed between such major events, he seemed to have a particular enthusism for Mahler, and, among all the concerts in those years, the ones I remember best did not take place in the orchestra’s regular hall but, rather, in the basketball arena of North Carolina State University. There he conducted the Mahler 8th. Twice. Before thousands of people each evening. The first night I attended as a paying customer. The second night, because University students could attend without charge and were also permitted to take a guest, I stood outside the hall, startling random students. (“You don’t have to sit with me. Just get me thorough the front doors as your ‘guest.’”) The performances were stupendous and had the atmosphere of An Occasion.
Another time he conducted the Mahler “Resurrection” in the Gothic-style Duke University Chapel in Durham. Also marvelous and thrilling (how could it not be?), if just a bit too reverberant in a space with so many hard stone surfaces but a magnificent pipe organ.
Backstage he was gracious, gregarious, and completely unpretentious, and his love of music was always nearly palpable.
From North Carolina:
Thank you for your dedicated years of performance as Conductor of our very special North Carolina Symphony, with which I performed piano concerti from the age of 16. You made it even more special.
Gerhardt Zimmerman is one of the great American journeyman conductors. He doesn’t know me, but he has been one of my heroes for many years. I wish him “the peace that passes all understanding” at this difficult time.
I am privileged to have been introduced to Gerhardt Zimmermann while working in Meymandi Concert Hall. I am so very fortunate to have been recommended by Maestro Zimmermann to be the Stage Manager for The Breckenridge Music Festival. His genuine persona and sincere passion for music and musicians made a tremendous impact in my life. Sincere condolences.
I could not read it without crying. This is a tribute to the thing this man loved with his heart and soul, and the love he has for you all as the source of that which created his life. Regards, David Dahlenburg