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Conductor Leonard Slatkin has a heart attack on the podium. He's apparently fine right now.
In the early 1990s, I was part of the Boston University chorus. I sang tenor, and we did Ralph Vaughn Williams "Sea Symphony" under Maestro Slatkin's baton. He was a wonderful conductor, and thanks to him I can say "I've sung at Carnegie Hall." The entire experience was terrific.
I was particularly thrilled that Slatkin was going to be conducting because the first Classical album I ever bought -- I was 15 -- was Slatkin leading the Saint Louis Symphony in a Porgy and Bess Suite which he arranged. It's still the best Gershwin suite I've ever heard, a fabulous arrangement. It was another year before I heard the full opera (still the only performance of an Opera I've cried at), but this album, bought on impulse made me know I wanted to see the whole thing.
Since then, I've heard him conduct at the Hollywood Bowl and the Kennedy Center. He's especially strong with American and early 20th century music. And thanks to him, I know to pay attention to the conductor on a recording or in a performance.
He's a great talent, and I hope I'll be able to hear him again.
In the early 1990s, I was part of the Boston University chorus. I sang tenor, and we did Ralph Vaughn Williams "Sea Symphony" under Maestro Slatkin's baton. He was a wonderful conductor, and thanks to him I can say "I've sung at Carnegie Hall." The entire experience was terrific.
I was particularly thrilled that Slatkin was going to be conducting because the first Classical album I ever bought -- I was 15 -- was Slatkin leading the Saint Louis Symphony in a Porgy and Bess Suite which he arranged. It's still the best Gershwin suite I've ever heard, a fabulous arrangement. It was another year before I heard the full opera (still the only performance of an Opera I've cried at), but this album, bought on impulse made me know I wanted to see the whole thing.
Since then, I've heard him conduct at the Hollywood Bowl and the Kennedy Center. He's especially strong with American and early 20th century music. And thanks to him, I know to pay attention to the conductor on a recording or in a performance.
He's a great talent, and I hope I'll be able to hear him again.
