As an internationally known conductor and writer, David Blum leaves an extraordinary legacy of recordings, books, and articles. In 1961, Blum founded the “Esterhazy Orchestra” in New York, with Pablo Casals acting as honorary president. Dedicated to the music of Haydn, the orchestra gave ground-breaking tours throughout the US and Canada. But it is the recordings of Haydn symphonies that permanently preserve the rare collaboration between Blum and his outstanding musicians. In the 1970s, and over the next two decades, Blum became a prolific and esteemed writer on music and musicians. His books, which have been translated into many languages, include: Casals and the Art of Interpretation, Paul Tortelier, The Art of Quartet Playing, and Quintet. Blum frequently contributed articles to the New York Times, the New Yorker, BBC Music magazine, and the Strad. Blum’s obituary in the London Times, 1998, notes: “As a writer, he revealed the inner working approaches of some of the greatest performers of our time.”
As an internationally known conductor and writer, David Blum leaves an extraordinary legacy of recordings, books, and articles. In 1961, Blum founded the “Esterhazy Orchestra” in New York, with Pablo Casals acting as honorary president. Dedicated to the music of Haydn, the orchestra gave ground-breaking tours throughout the US and Canada. But it is the recordings of Haydn symphonies that permanently preserve the rare collaboration between Blum and his outstanding musicians. In the 1970s, and over the next two decades, Blum became a prolific and esteemed writer on music and musicians. His books, which have been translated into many languages, include: Casals and the Art of Interpretation, Paul Tortelier, The Art of Quartet Playing, and Quintet. Blum frequently contributed articles to the New York Times, the New Yorker, BBC Music magazine, and the Strad. Blum’s obituary in the LondonTimes, 1998, notes: “As a writer, he revealed the inner working approaches of some of the greatest performers of our time.”
