Share this article:

Farewell to Philadelphia Orch’s organist

main

norman lebrecht

August 12, 2018

Michael Stairs, organist of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1985, died yesterday after a long struggle with cancer.

Comments

barry guerrero says:

August 13, 2018 at 4:35 am

I’m glad I got to hear the Sirius XM radio broadcast of Mr. Stairs doing the Michael Daugherty organ concerto with Philly.

Shirley Moyer says:

August 13, 2018 at 4:16 pm

So sorry to hear this. Michael was a wonderful person as well as a fabulous talent. Sang many years with him in Phiadelphia with Oratorio Choir at the First Baptist Church. RIP

Meg Campbell Tharp - former MC member says:

August 13, 2018 at 6:28 pm

Hello, Shirley:

Michael Stairs played often at Mendelssohn Club concerts and we all loved him. He was enormously talented and was always friendly with us. He seemed to always be smiling. He was a great talent lost too soon. We will all miss him.

Reply

William Hubert says:

August 13, 2018 at 11:38 pm

I am saddened to learn of Michael’s passing. He will always be fondly remembered as a consummate musician who shared his talents in so many ways. A master of some of the largest and finest organs in the world and yet willing to participate anywhere h could help. His performances on the Round Lake, N.Y.,1847 Tracker organ helped to preserve the organ and now it has received landmark status.

His life was a fine inspiration to all who met him.