For a “dry business newspaper,” the Economist writes strikingly poetic obituaries. This week’s is no exception. It is a fitting tribute to my great colleague, and captures what, to me, was most important about his music-making—service of the composer.
“He was their simple conduit to the world, channelling each composer’s dream like a beautiful flower that unfolded itself. The shape of the piece was the most important thing, the onward drive and flow, knowing just where he was going. Yet the delicate inner discoveries were endless.
[…]
On the podium he was ever-aware of hundreds of eyes on his back. It was the last place, you would think, for someone so shy. But he was there not simply to channel the music, though that was the main point. He was also bound to do his humble best to fill in for an assembly of ghosts. ■”