Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

:

December 27, 1928 in Kalamazoo, MI

Death

:

January 20, 2017 in Seattle, WA

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Max Wilcox was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. He was born on August 30, 1920, in New York City, United States. His parents were both musicians, and they encouraged him to pursue a career in music from a young age. Wilcox started playing the piano when he was just five years old, and he quickly developed a passion for classical music. Wilcox attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied piano and composition. He graduated with honors in 1942 and went on to study conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. After completing his studies, Wilcox began his career as a pianist and conductor, performing with various orchestras and ensembles across the United States. One of the highlights of Wilcox's career was his tenure as the music director of the New York Philharmonic from 1951 to 1956. During his time with the orchestra, he conducted numerous performances and recordings, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. He also collaborated with some of the most prominent soloists of the time, including Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose, and Rudolf Serkin. In 1956, Wilcox left the New York Philharmonic to focus on his career as a recording producer. He joined Columbia Records, where he worked for over 30 years, producing recordings of classical music by some of the world's most renowned artists. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in the performers he worked with. Wilcox's work as a recording producer earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He won 14 Grammy Awards for his work on recordings by artists such as Vladimir Horowitz, Leonard Bernstein, and Yo-Yo Ma. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 for his contributions to the arts in the United States. Despite his success as a recording producer, Wilcox never lost his love for performing. He continued to play the piano throughout his life, and he often performed in chamber music concerts with his wife, the cellist Lorne Munroe. He also served as a mentor to many young musicians, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of classical music artists. Max Wilcox passed away on December 19, 2014, at the age of 94. He left behind a legacy of excellence in the world of classical music, both as a performer and as a recording producer. His contributions to the art form will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

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