In Wednesday’s (5/2) Chicago Tribune, longtime classical music critic John von Rhein announces his upcoming retirement from the newspaper. “When I step down July 1, I will have held this position at the paper for nearly 41 years, a record for Chicago (and perhaps U.S.) musical journalism insofar as I have been able to determine. It’s been a great ride…. Having turned 72 in September, I wanted to see how it would feel not to have so many sword-of-Damocles deadlines hanging over me. Serving among some of the sharpest arts writers in the nation, at one of the nation’s great newspapers, in a world-class cultural center, is a privilege rarely bestowed on any journalist these days…. I have seen the worlds of music and arts journalism change dramatically over the last four decades, as the world itself has changed. Through it all, you, my readers, have remained engaged and interested…. I look forward to seeing many of you at concert and opera performances in the future…. Taking over classical music coverage at the Tribune will be Howard Reich, who has a strong background in music coverage of all kinds, and who will continue covering the jazz beat as well.”
Posted May 2, 2018
