Albert K. Webster, who built up the New York Philharmonic, dies at 82
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Thursday, November 14, 2024


Albert K. Webster, who built up the New York Philharmonic, dies at 82
In an undated handout photo from Marianne Bercellona, Albert K. Webster, left, the managing director of the New York Philharmonic, with the music director, Zubin Mehta, in 1979. Webster, who as managing director of the New York Philharmonic ushered the ensemble into the modern era, when major orchestras began to resemble corporations, died on April 3 at his home in Manhattan. He was 82. Marianne Bercellona via The New York Times.

by Joshua Barone



NEW YORK (NYT NEWS SERVICE).- Albert K. Webster, who as managing director of the New York Philharmonic ushered the ensemble into the modern era, when major orchestras began to resemble corporations, died on April 3 at his home in Manhattan. He was 82.

The cause was complications related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Sally Webster, Webster’s wife, said.

Albert Webster held the Philharmonic’s top post from 1975 through 1990, mostly coinciding with Zubin Mehta’s music directorship. Webster’s accomplishments were unglamorous yet crucial: enormous growth in subscriptions, gifts and the endowment, as well as musicians’ salaries.

Beyond the Philharmonic, he helped create the American Arts Alliance and worked with the League of American Orchestras and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Nick lived and breathed the Philharmonic,” Deborah Borda, the orchestra’s current leader, said.

Albert Knickerbocker Webster — he was known as “Nick” — was born on Oct. 14, 1937 in Brooklyn, and grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a degree in physics but was trained and active in music, performing with the Harvard Glee Club and spending two summers in France studying composition with celebrated teacher Nadia Boulanger.

In 1962, Webster was hired as the assistant to the Philharmonic’s general manager, Carlos Moseley. At the time, Leonard Bernstein was the music director, and Webster’s first job was to move the orchestra’s offices from Carnegie Hall to the newly constructed Lincoln Center.

He was promoted to assistant manager in 1965, then left to run the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 1971. The Philharmonic lured him back with an offer of the top post in 1975. Pierre Boulez was the music director, though only for a short time before Mehta was brought on in 1978.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Kate Webster, and three grandchildren. His son, Albert V.B. Webster, died in January.

Webster had a hand in improving facilities for the orchestra’s Parks Concerts, and the creation of chamber music groups drawn from the orchestra. By the time he left, musicians’ minimum salaries nearly tripled. Subscriptions rose from 27,000 to 37,000. The endowment had risen from $9.8 million to $69 million and annual giving more than tripled.

During his time at the Philharmonic, public attention was almost entirely reserved for Mehta. And that was how Webster liked it. “It’s not my style to be out front in that way,” he told The New York Times in 1979. “My style is to operate more quietly, behind the scenes.”










Today's News

April 15, 2020

In rural Japan, a 370-year-old tradition falls to one child

Frieze Viewing Room to launch with Frieze New York 2020

Andrew Jones Auctions announces highlights included in its online DTLA Collections & Estates auction

Hauser & Wirth presents online exhibition Rashid Johnson, Untitled Anxious Red Drawings

Lockdown stalls Notre-Dame's rebirth one year after fire

Peter Beard still missing, weeks after disappearing on Long Island

Auschwitz online: raising Holocaust awareness in the digital age

Lyon & Turnbull's Contemporary & Post-War Art sale includes works by Nan Goldin

Period & historically significant works lead online sale at Freeman's

Victor Skrebneski, who captured stars in striking photos, dies at 90

9K gold presentation bowl gifted to Queen Elizabeth II's grandparents in Heritage Silver & Objects of Fine Vertu Auction

Hand-signed letter from Florence Nightingale among treasures in Heritage Historical Manuscripts Auction

Music capital Vienna silenced by coronavirus crisis

Rolex, Patek Philippe ditch Baselworld to create new watch fair

Albert K. Webster, who built up the New York Philharmonic, dies at 82

A dancer's quarantine diary: Coming full circle

Abrons Arts Center and Henry Street Settlement launch a relief fund artists

Damiani publishes 'Body Language' by Allen Wheatcroft

Stream and shout: 10 underseen rock documentaries

Cannes film festival difficult to hold 'in original form': organisers

Algerian author wins top Arab fiction prize for 'Spartan Court'

Holocaust memorial sites fight new threat from far right

In about-face, musicians' union agrees to pandemic fundraiser

Shut by virus, Met Opera announces starry 'at home' concert

Cinema's Most Iconic Casino Scenes

Traveling on a Budget

How art is transforming the fashion industry in Asia

Ways to Boost Your Child's Creativity

What makes a personal injury lawyer good.




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful