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Buxbaum, Merritt (3rd June 1924-7th September 2021)

Clarinettist and saxophonist who grew up in Seattle and performed as a member of a youth orchestra that was conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham who also led the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

He served in the US Army band during WWII and on his return to civilian life went to Los Angeles to study at the USC School of Music. He became a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1950 as well as performing with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and on movie soundtrack recordings.

He helped premiere Facade: An Entertainment, William Walton’s musical setting of poems by Edith Sitwell, in September of 1951 and in 1979, he appeared on Frank Sinatra’s boxed set, Trilogy.

He retired from the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1993 but continued to play the clarinet following his retirement.

He died at home in September 2021 when he was 97 years old.

Here’s the performance of William Walton’s Facade with Edith Sitwell and Peter Pears…

Sources:

  1. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-francisco-ca/merritt-buxbaum-10347241
  2. http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/card/0,,539084,00.html
  3. http://myweddingdayplanning.com/vendors/Encino-California-Clarinet_Players.html
  4. https://sinatra.fandom.com/wiki/Trilogy:_Past_Present_Future
  5. http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11132007-163128/unrestricted/keanmonograph.pdf
  6. http://www.partypop.com/Categories/Clarinet_Players/California.htm?c=3165&p=5
  7. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1782659-Merritt-Buxbaum