Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Eugene Fodor
Violinist -- via violinist.com. A child prodigy from Denver, Fodor was the first American to win the Tchaikovsky in Moscow, in 1974. His later life was marred by substance abuse, but he kept turning out brilliant performances as late as 2008.
I knew Eugene. As a musician, apart from being a violinist, he was a consummate musician who could linger for hours enjoying a beautifully turned phrase by a pianist, for instance, and he'd keep asking for more. He could become totally transfixed by the music. He was a very special, dear person. I don't think his talent was a curse at all! He was a pure soul who became really plagued by some real unfair things that happened to him.
I'm so saddened by his death. I wish he had had the turn of luck over the years that would have brought him the kinds of concert opportunities he lived for and trained for.
Those of us who knew Eugene's real struggle could never judge him. He was a victim of jealousy and politics and never got over it.
thank you aglaia for that very perceptive comment. in a world where rock stars' addictive problems are enabled or ignored, the condemnatory attitude of classical music towards this troubled soul is perplexing. we would all like to help people surmount their demons; engagement, however, is preferable. Excommunication is a last, not a first, resort.
Yes indeed. Why did the great orchestras not hire him even once? The Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Concertgebuow, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony. Pure coincidence? There was definitely something amiss here!!! Only those very close to him know and they are not yet speaking out.
He was a dear man and I don't understand what happened. He played for my symphony when I was executive director in the late 1990s and was brilliant and kind and wonderful. I would love some insight into what is meant by "jealousy and politics."
It's sad when such great talent becomes a curse to the person that they become self destructive.
ReplyDeleteI knew Eugene. As a musician, apart from being a violinist, he was a consummate musician who could linger for hours enjoying a beautifully turned phrase by a pianist, for instance, and he'd keep asking for more. He could become totally transfixed by the music.
ReplyDeleteHe was a very special, dear person.
I don't think his talent was a curse at all! He was a pure soul who became really plagued by some real unfair things that happened to him.
I'm so saddened by his death. I wish he had had the turn of luck over the years that would have brought him the kinds of concert opportunities he lived for and trained for.
Those of us who knew Eugene's real struggle could never judge him. He was a victim of jealousy and politics and never got over it.
thank you aglaia for that very perceptive comment. in a world where rock stars' addictive problems are enabled or ignored, the condemnatory attitude of classical music towards this troubled soul is perplexing. we would all like to help people surmount their demons; engagement, however, is preferable. Excommunication is a last, not a first, resort.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Why did the great orchestras not hire him even once? The Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Concertgebuow, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony. Pure coincidence? There was definitely something amiss here!!! Only those very close to him know and they are not yet speaking out.
ReplyDeleteHe was a dear man and I don't understand what happened. He played for my symphony when I was executive director in the late 1990s and was brilliant and kind and wonderful. I would love some insight into what is meant by "jealousy and politics."
ReplyDelete