AnneG Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Eric, I'm sorry to hear of your Aunt's passing. She may have left this world, but her spirit lives on in you. My prayers are with you and your family.Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 MURIEL R. CARMEN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Thanks, guysShe was my one of my favorite people on earth. She didn't have a mean bone in her body, and she wore her heart on her sleeve. For every occasion, she would find the most unusual and perfect card and then write a couple of paragraphs of exactly how she felt in her heart. She was a one in a million kind of gal, and often the only person I could find to discuss "deep" and "profound" subjects with.I can't believe she's gone. Death is such a weird experience. Last week, she was sitting in a chair, reading a book, and looking forward to going home. Now she's just "gone".It really is so strange. I know that sense of nubdness and the feeling it's not real. Are donations in her name being sent somewhere>? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Sorry to hear the news, Eric. I'm happy she was such a great lady and such a positive influence in your life.Three Cheers for Aunt Muriel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Eric, I am sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crg2 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 My condolences, maestro. I lost my Gransmother this past year. she was very important to me. I know what it's like to have a person "there," and then, suddenly, not.Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Lisa... I saw the obit and the family requests donations to the The Cleveland Orchestra, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Eric, Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Aunt Muriel. She was indeed a great lady in so many ways. That she was an incredible violist goes without saying because she was hired by the late great George Szell, who just didn't hire women. I believe she was the very first lady he hired. And this was during the greatest days of the Cleveland Orchestra, when there was no orchestra on earth that could ever touch the beauty and purity of their string sound. Last summer in Philadelphia, at a recital in tribute to Orlando Cole, the great cellist of the Curtis String Quartet I met two fine musicians who played in The Cleveland Orchestra and remember Muriel Carmen with great affection and respect for her fine viola playing.And she knew what she was doing when she took you to all of those rehearsals: grooming a musical genius. You were surely the apple of her eye.Aunt Muriel's passing is a great loss to the music world and the world at large. I deeply regret never having met her, but I will cherish all the more Robert Marsh's book, "The Cleveland Orchestra," which celebrates the greatest days of the orchestra and which I acquired with Aunt Muriel in mind, because she's featured in it.Our prayers are with you and I know that in time your precious memories of the special relationship you shared with Aunt Muriel will comfort you. --Love, Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 From "Fanfare / Portraits of The Cleveland Orchestra" 1995 editionWhen she heard that George Szell "would be interested in hearing a 'girl' violist" Muriel Carmen auditioned for The Cleveland Orchestra.Her hiring in 1951 made the gossip column: "It was only when I read the paper that I learned I had been engaged by The Cleveland Orchestra," she recalls. One of only three female members when she joined, Ms. Carmen was, at the time of her retirement in September of 1994, the Orchestra's senior female musician and one of 19 women in the 105 member ensemble.Muriel Carmen began the study of violin at age 7 with encouragement from her parents. Her teacher, Ralph Katz, provided free lessons at a time when her parents could not afford them. Because she loved practicing, Muriel spent much of her time preparing for her future as a professional musician.During her college years at Western Reserve University (now Case-Western Reserve University), Ms. Carmen studied viola with Cleveland Orchestra violist Tom Brennand and Fredrick Funkhouser, and violin with assistant concertmaster Felix Eyle. She played viola in the University orchestra and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in music education, with a minor in English literature.World War II was a turning point in Ms. Carmen's professional career. When male musicians went of to war, talented female musicians were given new opportunities to play professionally. Ms. Carmen's first chance to play in a professional orchestra was with the Kansas City Philharmonic, where she was a member for two seasons before returning home to Cleveland.Ms. Carmen has taught both music and science in the Cleveland Public Schools and has served on the faculty of the Cleveland Music School Settlement and, for 23 years, the Cleveland School of Music. Over the years she has been actively involved in chamber music, and played with the Cleveland Institute of Music String Quartet and the Cleveland Ensemble.Ms Carmen vividly recalls her first time on stage at Severance Hall: "I was excited, thrilled and nervous." Accepting responsibility with her two female colleagues, she continued breaking ground in this male-dominated field."We understood the importance of playing the best we could, looking our best, and behaving in the best possible manner to earn the respect of the men around us. I think it's a great compliment that women musicians are now a natural part of the Orchestra membership."Muriel has enjoyed touring the world with The Cleveland Orchestra, particularly the Soviet Union in 1965, but always enjoyed coming home. "I love Cleveland," she says. "Everything is here, the Orchestra, museums, and theater." She is also grateful for the support of her extended family, which includes her brother Elmer, his wife Ruth and their sons, and longtime family friend Sheena Callaway. In addition her nephew Fred (former mayor of Mayfield Village), his wife Karen, and their two children provide Muriel with much family activity. Her nephew Eric, a musician, has composed pop hits such as "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again." Those songs are based on Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Eric, for what it's worth.... I actually knew about your Aunt Muriel way back in 1984. I was editing a music magazine at the time, and I made a call one afternoon to a media relations director at Telarc Records and somehow mentioned you in the conversation (probably the Cleveland connection). He started telling me about Muriel, in very appreciative terms; I remember that he was familiar with and impressed by her musicianship and professionalism. So from that call, I knew the calibre of musician she was, and that she had at least one friend/fan at Telarc -- and probably many more -- and that she was a highly regarded musician. And I thought, That makes sense, given Eric's appreciation and training in classical music. And my Telarc connection actually gave me her phone number so I could call and set up that first interview with you (regarding the release of your Geffen album). That was so long ago....Anyway, today must have been a tough day. Hang in there.Best,Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywolf Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Dear Eric,I am not going to offer up any platitudes, I am only going to express to you that I deeply sympathize with feeling/experiencing the loss of someone who means the world to you. Until the time comes when *only you know* when you are ready to once again move forward in the journey of life; may it bring you some comfort by feeling the outpouring of compassion from everyone who loves you and patiently awaits for you to rejoin this long and winding road!My Sincere Condolences,*Vera* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 From "Fanfare / Portraits of The Cleveland Orchestra" 1995 editionThanks for sharing that, Eric. It's a great tribute to your Aunt! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessieboo Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 It is wonderful to have an Aunt like that, you were all blessed to have her in your life.God bless Aunt Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Aunt Muriel's playing and teaching career was amazingly extensive. And she also taught science!What an incredibly intelligent, cultured and versatile lady! Truly special indeed. It would seem that your life mirrors hers in very large measure!Thanks so very much for sharing the Fanfare article with us. The more that is revealed to me about Aunt Muriel, the sadder I am that I never met her. She's a shining star who will always watch over you. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 This story was in today's Cleveland Plain Dealer. I knew my aunt was one of the first three women in The Cleveland Orchestra, but I didn't realize George Szell "inherited" the first two when he became conductor in 1946. My Aunt Muriel was the FIRST WOMAN HE ACTUALLY HIRED, and that was in 1951, five years into his tenure! http://www.cleveland.com/obituary/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1234431156196930.xml&coll=2 She was quite a gal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I am sorry to hear of your aunt's passing...I am happy though that she was in your life for so long...and was such a positive influence on you...It is quite possible we would have never heard of you...if it weren't for your Aunt Muriel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I had read long ago that Muriel Carmen was the first woman hired by George Szell when he came to the Cleveland Orchestra. 1951, when Szell hired Aunt Muriel, was the year I had decided, out of a clear blue sky at the age of 4, that I wanted to play the violin. It was a very good year.From what I've read, Toscanini had nothing on George Szell when it came to high standards and complete persnicketyness and pickiness in choosing "perfect" musicians. That Aunt Muriel won a post after auditioning for him speaks volumes about what an absolutely amazing violist she was. That she got along well with him and liked him speaks volumes about what an completely amazing *person* she was! What a lady!And thanks so much for linking to the story in the Plain Dealer. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trindy Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Eric, I'm so sorry to be late here, but I must add my condolences also, of course, to you and your family. Your Aunt Muriel must have been one in a million, a special gift both to music and to your family, and you'll miss her so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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