In Sunday’s (2/12) Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein writes, “Grover Schiltz refused to be bound by the narrow routine of life as an orchestral musician, even if that orchestra happened to be the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The CSO’s longtime principal English horn and oboist shared his diverse interests with his beloved wife Beverly, a double bass player who worked as a music librarian. … In addition, Schiltz was an avid photographer, gourmet cook, and an active board member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Alumni Assn. Even so, he reserved his greatest passion for music. Schiltz, 80, died of natural causes Thursday at their home in Lake Forest, according to his wife. He was one of the CSO’s longest-serving members, whose 46-year tenure lasted from his hiring by music director Fritz Reiner in 1959 until his retirement in 2005. He played assistant principal oboe until 1964 and served as principal English horn from 1964 to 2005. His dulcet-toned performances of the oboe and English horn solos in such orchestral staples as Dvorák’s ‘New World’ Symphony graced many a CSO concert.”
Posted February 15, 2012
