David Peter Stahl

David Stahl, music director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and a tireless advocate of quality classical music, died Sunday night after two months battling an aggressive form of lymphoma, his family said. Stahl was 60. His death came just a month after his wife, Karen Stahl, succumbed to cancer on Sept. 21 and in the midst of the symphony's most tumultuous and uncertain period of its history. During his 25 years as music director of the Charleston Symphony, he transformed a modest community ensemble into a respected professional orchestra, winning praise from civic leaders, arts patrons and classical music colleagues all over the world. He insisted repeatedly that a vital economy depends in some measure on a robust, well-supported arts community. And he put words in action, forging relationships with business leaders and convincing city officials that an attractive city is made more so when it boasts a reputable symphony orchestra. Stahl divided his time between Charleston and Munich, Germany, where, since 1997, he had served as music director and chief conductor of the Bavarian Staatstheater am Gaertnerplatz, conducting opera. That appointment came after a triumphant concert performance of Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess.' 'In Europe, they treat (music) like sport,' Stahl once said. Opera house director Klaus Schultz wanted Stahl full time, but the conductor said no. He would not give up his permanent residence in the Lowcountry. His work abroad taught him valuable musical lessons that he applied when conducting the Charleston Symphony and helped keep him energized and inspired, he said. And it lent cachet to his work at home, though some in Charleston begrudged his frequent absences. Over the years, Stahl fought hard to enlarge the symphony and its budget and to pursue ambitious programming that included symphonies by Mahler, large choral works such as the Verdi Requiem and a memorable concert version of Bernstein's 'Candide.' A naturally charismatic public figure, Stahl rarely failed to galvanize and entertain audiences. It was not uncommon for people from other parts of the U.S. to cite Charleston for its famous symphony orchestra. But Stahl seemed to do as much off stage as on. He was constantly in contact with patrons and board members, sharing advice and trying to forge back-alley connections with supporters and donors. In March, symphony management announced it was canceling the last concerts of the season, laying off staff and shutting down operations because cash reserves were too low, donations were down and expenses were unsustainable. After years of building up the orchestra, Stahl was very distressed by the shutdown. In October 2009, not long after the onset of the current financial crisis, Stahl announced he would step down as music director to become laureate conductor in a three-year process, during which the symphony would search for his replacement. Mayor Joe Riley, who visited Stahl the day before he died in an attempt to convey his appreciation, said the maestro was a generous man engaged in the civic life of the city and called his loss so soon after the death of Karen Stahl 'a huge tragedy.' 'As I told David yesterday, ... he has transformed this community,' Riley said. 'He brought countless people to great symphonic music and he made Charleston a better community. He was a great conductor. He could have conducted any community's symphony orchestra in any city in our country. Fortunately for us he loved Charleston.' While few conductors reach a silver anniversary, long tenures are not so rare. Seiji Ozawa led the Boston Symphony for 29 years. Eugene Ormandy led the Philadelphia Orchestra for 44 years. Stahl was born in New York City. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at 23 with the New York Youth Symphony and was immediately invited by Seiji Ozawa to be a conducting fellow at Tanglewood where he met his mentor Leonard Bernstein. The next year, Bernstein invited Stahl to be assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic and later asked him to take over the music directorship of 'West Side Story' on Broadway and for its European tour. The two men worked closely together for years, and Stahl often promoted Bernstein's music. When Bernstein made his second recording of 'West Side Story' in 1984 which featured performances by Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras and other opera superstars he asked Stahl to assist him. Bernstein's love and advocacy of the big Romantic repertoire rubbed off on his protégé and influenced Stahl's own musicianship. But Stahl was particularly adept at working with soloists. He had an extraordinarily sensitive ear and fine ability to provide a lilting and rich orchestral accompaniment. Despite his charisma and love of the limelight, he never upstaged his soloists. Guest artists who have performed with the Charleston Symphony under Stahl's baton include violinists Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell and Gil Shaham; pianists Yefim Bronfam and Jean-Yves Thibaudet; and flutist Paula Robison. Symphony musicians mostly had high praise for Stahl, though some felt he had hung on too long. Yuriy Bekker, concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony, said Stahl was 'a friend and a mentor, and even a big brother.' 'David was a wonderful, wonderful musician,' Bekker said. 'He was a natural musician. Music spoke through his body, his hands. The music coming out of his hands was filled with electricity. It was very energizing.' On Oct. 23, several musicians traveled to Stahl's home in Hollywood to play music on the back porch, hoping their ailing maestro inside might derive some comfort from the music, including a piece by one of his favorite composers, Gustav Mahler. Stahl and his wife leave behind two children, Anna, 16, a student at West Ashley High School, and Byron, 20, a junior at the College of Charleston. Also surviving Stahl is Sonya, 29, a daughter from a previous marriage; his brother Robert; and his 90-year-old father Frank. His mother, Edith, died in 2005. In recent weeks, spent mostly at Roper Hospital undergoing chemotherapy and other cancer treatment, Stahl remained determined to survive 'for the sake of Byron and Anna.' He said he had not had time to mourn the death of his wife and had 'to concentrate on this, this body.' Though many weeks each year were spent in Germany, Stahl remained very close to his children, attending Anna's volleyball games and helping Byron adjust to college life. The family would spend time together abroad, and Stahl remained on the telephone and e-mail for hours at a time, staying in touch. Ellen Dressler Moryl, director of the city's Office of Cultural Affairs, praised her friend's infectious spirit, calling him 'the brother I never had.' 'His energy and optimism in the face of crisis or triumph was always there,' Moryl said. 'He could buoy up the spirits of anyone facing any kind of a challenge to their artistic endeavor and give them the confidence to rise up to the challenge.' Listening to Wagner's 'Tannhauser,' Bach's 'St. Matthew Passion' and miscellaneous songs provided by friends as he lay in his hospital bed, Stahl did not easily abandon hope. His stalwart attitude persisted even as he fought off infection and endured chemotherapy treatments. He recalled fondly a few days at home in Hollywood where he managed to walk the length of his dock extending into the Stono River and enjoy the Lowcountry scenery and climate. And he continued to voice concern about the status of the troubled Charleston Symphony, now in delicate contract negotiations with players. To the last, his thoughts were with his beloved Charleston and the community of artists he worked so hard to bring together and keep intact. The relatives and friends of David Peter Stahl and Karen Doss Stahl are invited to attend a Memorial Service to celebrate their lives at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 13, 2010, at the Dock Street Theater, 135 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in memory of David to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, 145 King St, Suite 311, Charleston, SC 29401 and in memory of Karen to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, INC. FUNERAL HOME, 766-1365. David's guest book may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com.