Monday, May 25, 2020
I first met Larry in 2008 when he approached me with the request to put together a chamber group for a summer concert at Temple Brith Kodesh. He was going to sponsor the concert and make it free to the general public. He wanted a string quartet plus one wind instrument, and also (he was very definite about that) wanted Mozart, whose music he loved, to be the focus of the program. So I asked Kenny Grant, principal clarinet of the RPO, and we performed the Mozart clarinet quintet, which happens to be one of my favorite pieces as well. The concert was successful, Larry loved it and so this "Mostly Mozart" summer concert at TBK became a tradition for the following 7 years, until Larry moved to Florida permanently.
I fondly remember Larry's phone calls every year, already during the winter months, discussing the upcoming concert as well as the wonderful weather in Florida, where he spent his winters, while we were suffering through snow storms here in Rochester. I always enjoyed his enthusiasm for the music as we discussed the programs, as well as his attention to detail in regard to the logistics of the concerts. It was a pleasure to work with him and a privilege to have known him.
Stefan Reuss, principal cellist of the RPO 1988 to 2014
