Erich Kunzel, the award-winning conductor who led the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra since its founding three decades ago and who gained international fame through sales of more than 10 million albums, has died at age 74.
Kunzel was diagnosed with the liver, colon and pancreatic cancer in April, but continued to carry out while undergoing treatment. He died early Tuesday at a hospital near his home in Swan Island, Maine, said Chris Pinelo, a spokesman for the Cincinnati Pops.
On July 4, Kunzel conducted a concert at the U.S. Capitol with Aretha Franklin. There National Symphony Orchestra conducted on the Capitol grounds on national television on Memorial Day and Independence Day concerts since 1991.
This year also held a concert in Beijing, where he and the Cincinnati Pops conducted last year at the opening of festivities for the Summer Olympics.
Kunzel also led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops in many performances.
"Eric was an accomplished artist but behind all the theatrics was a qualified professional with great innate musical instincts," said Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. "I learned a lot from him, and will forever be grateful for the love and support they showed me about our relationship of 20 years."
Born in New York, Kunzel was educated at Dartmouth, Harvard and Brown universities and began his career in 1957 with the completion of the Santa Fe Opera moved to Cincinnati in 1965 as assistant director Max Rudolf, former music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra was officially founded in 1977 as director Kunzel.
The set is classic Cincinnati has been one of the busiest in the world, maintaining a year of playing and recording schedule and make numerous television appearances. Kunzel recorded over 125 albums and was named Billboard Magazine’s Classical Crossover Artist of the Year for four consecutive years.
Kunzel received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2006 for outstanding contributions to the arts and was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Kunzel, who also had homes in Newport, Ky., and Naples, Fla., is survived by his wife, Brunilda.
Maintaining a tight schedule at a brisk pace throughout his career, Kunzel told The Cincinnati Enquirer in an interview in July that he was surprised by her diagnosis of cancer.
"It was not on the agenda," he said.

Related posts:

1. Shepherd music professor nominated for statewide award
2. Church names new director of music ministry
3. Former SSO music director dies
4. WW2 concert shows music is a force for peace
5. Free Christmas Music