Karl Haas RIP
I remember with fondness Karl Haas' program Adventures in Good Music and note with sadness his passing.
When I was working as a cataloguer at the Music Library at Indiana University's School of Music, we used to have the radio in the office tuned to WFIU, the college NPR station constantly. Even as jaded music majors we got a kick out of Karl Haas' programs and I have to say that more than once it offered me a different way to think about classical music.
It also saddens me to think that this is the end of this kind of popular music education program in the US. Perhaps there are others that I'm not aware of, but Haas' program was rare in today's rather barren landscape of cultural programming. His program began in 1959 and he was still at it up until 2 years ago (reruns of older programs are still airing in many markets). I was astonished and heartened to read that for two decades it was the #1 program in its time slot in Detroit and was the highest rated program on WCLV.
I certainly hope that someone takes up the gauntlet and continues the tradition.
When I was working as a cataloguer at the Music Library at Indiana University's School of Music, we used to have the radio in the office tuned to WFIU, the college NPR station constantly. Even as jaded music majors we got a kick out of Karl Haas' programs and I have to say that more than once it offered me a different way to think about classical music.
It also saddens me to think that this is the end of this kind of popular music education program in the US. Perhaps there are others that I'm not aware of, but Haas' program was rare in today's rather barren landscape of cultural programming. His program began in 1959 and he was still at it up until 2 years ago (reruns of older programs are still airing in many markets). I was astonished and heartened to read that for two decades it was the #1 program in its time slot in Detroit and was the highest rated program on WCLV.
I certainly hope that someone takes up the gauntlet and continues the tradition.
posted by Rich Russell at
8:09 AM
3 Comments:
Me too, me too, me too!
While I never met Karl Haas personally, I always felt as though we were friends. For me, his way of explaining things about classical music, and his immense knowledge of the individual lives and adventures of the composers, as well as his great selection of music, and his outrageously delicious sense of humor, were blessings that improved my day, every time. I will miss him always.
Thanks Tina!
While I was in Florida this weekend I got to listen to Haas again (he's not to be heard on NY radio these days). It was a program on encores and I enjoyed his quirky but charming style. It reminded me of the days I used to listen regularly and of the pleasure he gave me (and countless others).
For so many years Karl Haas followed me around the world including 7 cities in the US, many in Europe, and finally the last few years in Sydney and Melbourne. He never failed to amuse, cajole, excite, persuade, and impress me with the intracies of his mind, his music, his passion for music. From every show there was at least one moment of learning all packaged up in splendour. I miss him; and I hope his legacy and legend will continue to be available to me in my remaining years and to my children and their children. His artistry was and is timeless.
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