Washington principal oboe, RIP

Washington principal oboe, RIP

RIP

norman lebrecht

December 17, 2024

Rudolph Vrbsky, principal oboist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. for over 25 years, has died of the effects of Parkinsons Disease, aged 72.

Raised in Chicago, Rudy was appointed by Mstislav Rostropovich to the NSO in 1981. He also played every summer at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont.

Comments

  • Nathaniel Rosen says:

    A tearful morning, terrible news of an old friend who is gone. Unbearable for his wife and three children.

  • Truth Teller says:

    You’d expect posts of condolences from area colleagues such as Needleman, but she’s too busy whipping her army of fellow rejects into a frenzy over Vrbsky’s colleague who seems to be threatening her with a lawsuit.

    Rest in Peace to this great.

  • Steven Honigberg says:

    One of the finest musicians I ever played with. I remember how much Slava loved his musicianship. Kind of a 1960s rebel. Rudy, in his prime, was one of the best.

  • DoneHere says:

    Bye Rudy

  • Mike G says:

    RIP from just an audience member who loved his playing.

  • NYCgirl says:

    Nice man, beautiful musician, RIP Rudy

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