Nathan Stutch


Stutch, Nathan Obit photo.jpg


Nathan Stutch
1919  -  2015

Scarborough

Nathan Stutch, 96, Associate Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic, passed away on September 17, 2015. He was born on September 3, 1919, the son of Harry and Dora (Leibowitz) Stutch.
Nathan, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was accepted at 16 to the Curtis Institute of Music with full scholarship where he studied with renowned cellists, Felix Salmond and Emanuel Feuermann. Conductor Leopold Stokowski appointed him at 20 be principal cellist in his All-American Youth Orchestra, which toured throughout the United States. Subsequently, he became a member of the Cleveland Orchestra, and in 1946, he joined the New York Philharmonic. In 1964, he became the associate principal cellist, a position he held until his retirement in 1989. Over the years, Mr. Stutch toured throughout the world and performed with many great conductors including Bruno Walter, Leonard Bernstein, Dimitri Metropolous, George Szell, Pierre Boulez, and Erich Leinsdorf.   He appeared numerous times as soloist with the Philharmonic, and performed in many chamber concerts with members of the Philharmonic in their chamber music series. He toured as soloist with the Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, with whom he recorded as soloist Francois Couperin's Pieces en Concert for Vox Turnabout Records. He recorded Pablo Casals's signature piece, "The Song of the Birds" with the New York Symphonic Ensemble for Toshiba-EMI.   He also recorded with the New York Philharmonic Cello Quartet for Decca Records.
In 1983; Mr. Stutch appeared on camera, portraying Pablo Casals in a TV mlnl-series starring, Martin Sheen that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In the mini-series, he performed the Prelude to Bach's Fifth Suite for Cello. He edited extensively for International Music Company, and his editions of solo cello works, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire have been distributed and sold throughout the world. A passionate teacher with unbending .'
enthusiasm for the orchestra, for 19 years Mr. Stutch taught orchestral repertoire classes at Manhattan School of Music. He also taught numerous private students. He was an active session musician, recording for many films and television jingles, and even performing with Frank Sinatra during his New York area concerts in the early 1990's..
In 2004, Mr. Stutch moved to Maine to be closer to family. He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Pamela, son-in-law Patrick Dunton, and grandson Alexander Dunton.


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