venerdì 25 febbraio 2011

John E. Castellini, one of my favorite teachers

Monday, July 15, 2002
John E. Castellini, 96, music professor in N.Y.,
loved sharing knowledge


Obituary

By Chris Mayhew, cmayhew@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A teacher of classical music who trained as a composer, John E.
Castellini died Friday at his home in Greenwich, Conn. He was 96.
A music professor at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., for 35 years,
Mr. Castellini was the fourth son of Joseph John Castellini,
who started the Cincinnati produce business of the same name.
“He dedicated his life to teaching because he loved to impart
knowledge,” said his niece, Mona Poynter of Hyde Park.
Passing on his knowledge was a way of validating the education
his father was able to provide him with, his niece said.
Mr. Castellini studied under several prominent musicians and
composers in Europe after he graduated from the University of
Cincinnati and the College of Music of Cincinnati in 1928. He first
studied musical composition in Rome under Ottorino Respighi
In 1929 he studied composition with Arnold Schonberg, and piano
with Karl Schnabel in Berlin.
After completing a bachelor of arts degree at the University of
Southern California, Mr. Castellini returned to Cincinnati in 1932
to work as a sales representative in the family business.
“During the Depression there weren't as many positions for
musicians, and after that he went back to his first love,” his niece said.
In 1937 he left for New York City to continue his life in music.
He often came back to Cincinnati, usually twice a year to meet
with family and always in May to see the Cincinnati May Festival.
Through the May Festival, Mr. Castellini eventually struck up a
friendship with the famous conductor James Conlon, who has
been the festival's music director from 1979 to the present. One
of the positions Mr. Conlon currently holds is the Principal
Conductor of the Paris Opera.
At Queens College, Mr. Castellini taught and conducted the
school's symphony orchestra. He also conducted a local
community choral society.
Mr. Castellini considered his greatest achievement to be his
students, his niece said.
“To the day until he died he continued to hear from his students —
they respected and loved him as both a professor and a friend,” she said.
Other survivors include his daughter, Maureen Ahern of Harrison,
N.Y.; a son, Michael of Bellingham, Mass.; three grandchildren;
and three great-grandchildren; and other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne MacDonald Castellini, in 1987.
Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Elden A. Good
Funeral Home, 2620 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Mass of Christian
burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary Church, Hyde Park.
Memorials: Aaron Copland School of Music,
Queens College-City University of New York,
attention Jonathan Irving, 65-30 Kissena Blvd.,
Flushing, N.Y. 11367. Checks can be made payable to
Queens College Foundation/Castellini Endowment Fund.




Nessun commento:

Posta un commento