Death of US choral pioneer, 93

The Los Angeles Master Chorale has announced the death of co-founder Marshall Rutter.

Artistic director Grant Gershon said: ‘Marshall Rutter was the quiet force behind a remarkable blossoming of choral music in America. As one of the founders of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and through his early leadership of Chorus America, he helped to set the stage for the current renaissance in our field. His steadfast support and stewardship of the Chorale over the entire course of our 60 year history is extraordinary. During this time and under his guidance the Chorale has taken its place as the preeminent large professional choral organization in the country.

‘I first met Marshall in the early 1990s when he was one of the early and most passionate supporters of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella new music series. Marshall loved music deeply, and was especially committed to encouraging living composers to stretch their wings. He commissioned countless composers over the years, perhaps most notably Morten Lauridsen, whose O Magnum Mysterium (commissioned by Marshall in honor of his wife, Terry Knowles) has become the most beloved and iconic American choral work of the last 50 years. Marshall was brilliant, funny, endlessly self-deprecating, and a wonderful friend. We will all miss him deeply.’