Lorin Maazel 1930-2014

Monday 14 July 2014

We are very sorry to hear of the death of world renowned conductor and composer Lorin Maazel.

Maestro Maazel died on Sunday 13 July 2014 in Virginia from complications following pneumonia. He had been at his home, Castleton Farms, rehearsing and preparing for his annual Castleton Festival, which he founded in 2009 to support young artists. The image above shows Maestro Maazel with RCM students at the festival in 2013.

RCM Artistic Director Stephen Johns says “For a number of years our students have been invited to take part in Lorin Maazel’s festival in Castleton, Virginia, and have experienced at first hand his generosity, warmth and inspirational conducting.  At his last visit to the Royal College of Music, when he conducted Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, we were again reminded of his unique skills. He was a good friend of the RCM, and we are deeply saddened to hear of his passing.”

Mr. Maazel had long associations with many of the world’s leading classical music institutions, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Munich Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera. He was the former Associate Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia, with whom the RCM regularly works.

For a full obituary visit the Castleton Festival website.