Arriving Somewhere

Alfred Reed, American composer and conductor, passed away yesterday, September 17. His name is well known to any wind musician. He wrote over 250 works for band, orchestra, choir and chamber ensemble. Among his most well known pieces are Russian Christmas Music, Armenian Dances, and El Camino Real. His genius will be missed, but his music will always be with us.

Wikipedia
Grove Dictionary of Music [subscription required]

The following is an email I received:

Alfred Reed passed away yesterday afternoon, 17 September. His gift to the world is a body of music that will continue to thrill, charm and delight audiences in virtually every country of the world, as it has done for the last fifty years. His gift to those of us blessed to have known him was a kind and generous spirit that is all too rare.

I cannot begin to reach everyone who has known and loved Dr. Reed and his music. May I therefore ask those of you receiving this email to forward it to those known to you who would want to be made aware of this most sad event.

Memorial arrangements are pending. Please understand and respect the family’s need for quiet time and privacy by withholding all telephone communications with them until at least Monday, 19 September.
Thank you

James Curnow

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