Felix Wurman
Felix Wurman | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Felix Wurman |
Born | October 27, 1958 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
Died | December 26, 2009 (aged 51) Hillsborough, North Carolina, United States |
Genres | Classical |
Occupation(s) | Cellist |
Instrument(s) | Cello |
Years active | 1970–2009 |
Felix Wurman (October 27, 1958[1] – December 26, 2009) was an American cellist and composer.
Early years
Wurman was the son of Hans Wurman, a
Wurman began playing the cello at age seven and gave his first public performance, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,[6] at age 12.[2] He was invited to attend the Juilliard School, but chose to study in Europe under the British cellist Jacqueline du Pré.[2] Du Pré, who was no longer able to play due to multiple sclerosis, taught Wurman for two years.[7]
Domus
While in England, Wurman focused on
Tomes, who went on to become a noted concert pianist and writer, described Wurman as an "animateur of genius" whose love of music, fun and adventure "made people want to be in his gang."[10] Tomes recalled that Wurman came up with the idea to build a portable concert hall using the form of a geodesic dome.[10]
Return to the United States
Wurman later returned to Chicago, joined the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra and became a freelance cellist in Chicago.[8]
Wurman returned to Europe frequently and studied in Amsterdam under
Wurman later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he joined the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. He also continued his interest in chamber music, performing for the Placitas Artist Series, East Mountain Artists Series, Corrales Cultural Arts Council and Albuquerque Chamber Soloists. Wurman also formed the Noisy Neighbors Chamber Orchestra, made up of musicians from the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.[6][8] In September 2000, when the Noisy Neighbors began performing under a 200-seat geodesic dome in a parking lot at Cedar Crest, Wurman told the Albuquerque Journal that the new group was a continuation of the Domus concept—a group with a mobile concert hall that would perform any kind of classical music wherever possible.[11]
Church of Beethoven
In early 2007, after performing at a church service, Wurman was inspired to create the "Church of Beethoven." Wurman noted it was not the theology he liked; it was "the ecstasy of the music, and the warmth of the parishioners enjoying it together."[12] Wurman came up with an idea: "How about a church that has music as its principal element, rather than as an afterthought?"[12] Wurman recruited musicians from the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and they began playing Sunday concerts in an abandoned gas station off old Route 66.[2] Wurman called the Sunday concerts the Church of Beethoven. Wurman said he founded the church to help people "find spirituality through culture."[13] Wurman named the church after Beethoven because the composer "poured all that spirituality that he couldn't find a place for in the traditional church, he poured it straight into his art."[13] Wurman believed there were many nonreligious people "looking to be uplifted on a Sunday morning."[2] The services also included poetry readings, and one poet who participated described Wurman's goal in forming the Church of Beethoven as follows: "Wurman wanted to foster the same sense of communal experience one can have at a church, but without the dogma."[14]
The Albuquerque Journal described the Church of Beethoven as "an hourlong mix of music, poetry and readings."
In 2008, the Church of Beethoven relocated from the filling station to a new home in a renovated warehouse in downtown Albuquerque which has been described as "rather cathedral-like, with warm red walls, vaulted wood ceilings and stained glass windows."[12] A short documentary film about Felix and the Church of Beethoven by Brad Stoddard and Anthony Della Flora was completed and is for sale on Amazon CreateSpace https://www.createspace.com/291475 on DVD
Cancer and death
Wurman was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2008 and underwent surgery in the spring 2009. When the cancer returned and spread to his bone, Wurman left Albuquerque in the fall 2009 to be near his sister in North Carolina and to receive treatment there.[14] The Church of Beethoven continued to thrive even after Wurman's departure as musicians, poets and participants worked to keep the concept alive.[2][14] One week before Wurman's death, the Church of Beethoven conducted a fundraiser to help pay for Wurman's medical care; the event featured Schubert's Octet in F major with poets giving readings in brief intervals between the six movements. Poets Tony Hunt and Lisa Gill read poems centered on the themes of time, change, and friendship.[17] The service was intended as an opportunity to demonstrate the community's appreciation for Wurman's life and commitment.[14]
Wurman died of complications related to cancer.[2]
References
- ^ "Social Security Death Index Search" 8 April 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kate Linthicum (2009-12-31). "Felix Wurman dies at 51; cellist founded Church of Beethoven performance series". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Linthicum, Kate (31 December 2009). "Felix Wurman dies at 51; cellist founded Church of Beethoven performance series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
- ^ Mix Magazine
- ^ "Official Biography". Archived from the original on 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ a b "Music in Corrales: Endless Horizons; Our Exciting 2009-2010 Season" (PDF). Music in Corrales. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ^ a b "Chatter: A Chamber Ensemble Principal Players". Chatter: A Chamber Ensemble. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Biography of Felix Wurman". Albuquerque Chamber Soloists. Archived from the original on 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ ISBN 1-84383-045-0.
- ^ a b c "Felix Wurman – in memoriam". Susan Tomes. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ David Steinberg (2000-09-03). "Neighbors make beautiful noise". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ a b c d e Kate Linthicum (2009-12-27). "Cathedral for Joyful Noise: At the Quirky Church of Beethoven, Music Plays the Central Role". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b Drew Nelles (2007-11-16). "Cellist Runs Church of Beethoven: Albuquerque Arts Devotees Start Secular Church of Beethoven in Old Gas Station". Newser. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ a b c d Erin Adair-Hodges (December 17–23, 2009). "Culture Shock: Felix Wurman's Good Life". Arts/Lit Archive. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ David Steinberg (2008-04-28). "A New Church: Weekly event held at The Filling Station features music, poetry and readings". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ a b Brigid McCarthy. "Church Preaches The Music Of Beethoven". National Public Radio.
- ^ "Church of Beethoven benefit for Felix Wurman". Duke City Fix. Retrieved 2010-01-03.