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It was with a sinking heart that I learned of the death of Richard Pontzious (“Asian Youth Orchestra co-founder Richard Pontzious, who has died aged 76, nurtured and inspired thousands of young musicians”, December 30). Pontzious passed away on Christmas Day after a brief illness not related to Covid-19.
Richard Pontzious will be remembered for his contribution to nurturing young musicians in Asia. Photo: SCMP
Pontzious and I go back some 30 years, about the same time he started the greatest project of his life, and he picked Hong Kong as the base.
I met the co-founder, artistic director and conductor of the Asian Youth Orchestra on a plane. We talked non-stop on the flight about music, a subject that we both loved. I actually wrote to this column a few years ago praising him for his leadership, zeal and dedication to nurturing young musicians.
The ensemble rivals the best among its peers. I am certain that one day some of these budding young stars recruited from different countries in the region will go on to become full-time professionals in major orchestras around the world.
This is the saddest news for me personally. We have lost a great classical music teacher and a friend.
Philip S.K. Leung, Pok Fu Lam
Published: 6:10am, 18 Jan, 2021
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