Role

:

Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

November 4, 1916 in St. Joseph, MO

Death

:

July 17, 2009 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Walter Cronkite was a renowned classical music artist who was born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was the son of Dr. Walter Leland Cronkite and Helen Lena Fritsche. His father was a dentist, and his mother was a homemaker. Walter had two siblings, a brother named Harold and a sister named Mary Elizabeth. Walter's interest in music began at a young age. He started playing the piano when he was six years old and later learned to play the violin. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied political science and journalism. While in college, he played in the university orchestra and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After college, Walter began his career as a journalist. He worked for several newspapers before joining the United Press in 1939. He covered World War II as a war correspondent and was present at the Nuremberg trials. In 1950, he joined CBS News as a television reporter. Despite his successful career in journalism, Walter never lost his love for music. He continued to play the violin and was a member of the American Symphony Orchestra. He also hosted several television programs about classical music, including "Walter Cronkite's Universe of Music" and "Walter Cronkite's 20th Century." One of Walter's most memorable performances was in 1962 when he played the violin on "The CBS Evening News." He performed a piece by Fritz Kreisler in honor of the 50th anniversary of the composer's death. The performance was well-received, and Walter received many letters from viewers praising his musical talent. Walter's love for music was recognized by several organizations. He was a member of the board of directors of the New York Philharmonic and the American Symphony Orchestra. He also received several awards for his contributions to classical music, including the National Medal of Arts in 1981 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1985. In addition to his work in journalism and music, Walter was also involved in several charitable organizations. He was a board member of the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He also served as the honorary chairman of the National Parkinson Foundation. Walter retired from CBS News in 1981 but continued to be active in the media. He hosted several documentaries and wrote several books, including his memoir "A Reporter's Life." He also made several appearances on television, including a guest spot on "The Simpsons." Walter Cronkite passed away on July 17, 2009, at the age of 92. He was remembered as a respected journalist and a talented musician who had a passion for classical music. His contributions to the world of music and journalism will always be remembered.

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