Courtesy Julliard
James DePreist
The Oregon Symphony's former music director, James DePreist, has died of complications from a heart attack he suffered last year.
He was 76. DePreist had a history of kidney disease and had battled polio earlier in his life.
Michael Clapp / OPB
Nancy Ives, the Oregon Symphony's principal cellist
In an interview with OPB's Oregon Art Beat in 2003, DePreist described his conducting style: "I don't know that I've ever had any temptation to gyrate and to send my arms into orbit"
OPB talked with two Oregon Symphony musicians today. Nancy Ives, the Oregon Symphony's principal cellist, and Peter Frajola, associate concert master, offered their tribute to the internationally-acclaimed maestro.
