Comments on: In Remembrance of Erich Kunzel

By: Pierre M Menard

Pierre M Menard — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:03:13 +0000

Tonight, December 6, 2009, I decided to see if the Cincinnati Pops were coming to New York City, perhaps, Carnegie Hall, perhaps Radio City, hoping I could experience Mr. Kunzel genius one more time. I lived in Cincinnati for 14 years, my wife born there. My second year, we decide to see a Concert in the Park. With that one experience, we became season ticket holder at both Music Hall and Riverbend when it opened.

I am now in shock having learned of the passing of this wonderful musician and person! There is no one who will be able to replace him ever in my mind.

My sincerest and deepest sympathy to the Kunzel family. I can only imagine your grief if I feel the loss of Erich this much…

Heaven is a much better place now that Mr. Kunzel is there!

A FAN!

By: M. Vanderreis, The Netherlands, Europe

M. Vanderreis, The Netherlands, Europe — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:47:03 +0000

Thank you Mr. Kunzel for all those fantastic concerts and wonderful CD’s. You were a great musician and artist. I hope your legacy will live on. My deepest sympathy and condolances for Mrs. Kunzel & family and The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

By: Scott Hosfeld

Scott Hosfeld — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:58:28 +0000

Maestro Kunzel is largely responsible for inspiring my own career as a classical artist. As conductor of the Washington State All-State Orchestra he gave the young musicians there a true sense of the power and heartfelt passionate nature of real music making. For me, it led to a life-long pursuit of that intangible wonder and beauty.

I am grateful to him.

Having been on podium with thousands of young musicians since those days, I never underestimate what true passion, a word of encouragement or any other gesture of understanding might mean in the life of a young person.

By: Steve And Sue

Steve And Sue — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:48:03 +0000

He was the best. We can’t say more than that. Thanks!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:38:02 +0000

I first met Erich in 1960 at Brown University when he was the brand-new director of the Pembroke (Women’s College of Brown) Glee Club. I remember going nervously to audition for him, but quickly being put at ease and welcomed into the chorus, where I sang happily for my four-year college career. He was a wonderful director, instilling in his singers a lasting love of music. Thanks to his early influence on me, I have been an active choral singer ever since. I have followed his illustrious career with interest and will miss his flair, charm and great talent.

By: Wolfgang Karle, Germany

Wolfgang Karle, Germany — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:05:07 +0000

My deep condolences!

I was shocked when I heard that Maestro Kunzel was dead! Without knowing about his illness I had thought to myself that this year might be the time that maybe another Christmas Music CD of Erich Kunzel conducting the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra would eventually come out (sof sale). But then sudddenly I heard about his death und immediately realized that never again will there be another new Christmas Music CD of his and the CPO or any other new CD, no new Film Music Compilation, no new Americana CD. That, along with his death is so sad!
Erich Kunzel actually brought me to Classical Music CDs, espcecially “Americana”, als well as “Pops” Film Music Compilations (along with John Williams and the Boston Pops) and “Pops” Christmas Music CDs back in the early 80s with his magnificent Telarc CDs and those bombastic dynamic sound performances! I was immediately amazed and stunned and even to this very day this “Pops” Music recordings of his and others have become my favorite music and I still collect whatever I can find (which is not easy in Germany) from “Pops” Orchestras CDs from Cincinnati, Boston and whereever else.
This is all thanks to Maestro Kunzel’s efforts.

I will miss him, his dynamic conductings and orchestrations of the CPO and I will miss new (never) coming out recordings of his and the CPO.

My thoughts are with his family and his grand music family in Cincinnati and around the world.

Rest in Piece, Erich!

By: anonomous

anonomous — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:00:41 +0000

After attending the wonderful memorial concert, it now is real we will never be blessed with Erich on stage again. He will certainly be missed. We have enjoyed many concerts at Music Hall, outdoors at Union Central in Forest Park, Riverbend and others. Our sincere sympathy to Mrs.Kunzel , Erichs family and friends. Mrs. Kunzel, thank you for sharing him with us.

By: Liz Hall

Liz Hall — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:22:41 +0000

As a young adult I have always enjoyed the Pops. Time after time Erich brought a joy to the stage noone else could.His smile and happiness would light up the crowd. We will miss him terribly. The memorial concert was wonderful. The tribute to his life, family and pops was heartfelt. Thank you Erich for all you have done!

By: Luis Francisco Soto

Luis Francisco Soto — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:15:49 +0000

Gracias Maestro!

Por sus innumerables grabaciones al frente de la CPO que tuvieron un gran impacto en mi desarrollo musical.

Descanse en Paz y que Dios lo bendiga!!!

By: Cindy Becknell

Cindy Becknell — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:08:56 +0000

My husband and I were very dismayed when we heard of Erich Kunzel’s death, as he was our favorite conductor. We saw his last concert at Riverbend Aug 1, and it was a night to remember – Rodgers & Hammerstein, which I love, and as only he could interpret. He came up the river on a riverboat full of fans. It was a great night on the lawn overlooking the Ohio River – he will truly be missed by so many!