Role

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Performer

Genre

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Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Robert J. Lurtsema was a renowned classical music artist who was born on May 28, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of Russian immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Lurtsema started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Lurtsema attended Boston University, where he studied music and graduated with a degree in music education. He then went on to study at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he received a master's degree in music. After completing his studies, Lurtsema began his career as a classical music artist. He started as a pianist and performed in various concerts and recitals. However, he soon realized that his true passion was in broadcasting and sharing his love of classical music with others. In 1961, Lurtsema joined the staff of WGBH-FM, a public radio station in Boston. He started as a part-time announcer and eventually became the host of the station's morning classical music program, "Morning pro musica." The show became very popular and was broadcasted for over 30 years. Lurtsema's warm and friendly personality, combined with his vast knowledge of classical music, made him a beloved figure in the classical music world. He was known for his ability to make classical music accessible to everyone, regardless of their musical background. In addition to his work on "Morning pro musica," Lurtsema also hosted several other classical music programs on WGBH-FM, including "The Bach Hour" and "The Mozart Effect." He also wrote several books on classical music, including "The World of Music According to Starker," which he co-wrote with the cellist Janos Starker. Lurtsema's contributions to the classical music world were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1983, he received the George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music in America. He was also inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2007. Lurtsema continued to work at WGBH-FM until his retirement in 2007. He passed away on March 5, 2000, at the age of 68. His legacy as a beloved classical music artist and broadcaster lives on, and his contributions to the world of classical music will always be remembered.

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