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Celebrating Leonard Slatkin’s Legacy

By Eric Dundon

Leonard Slatkin, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate, has led the orchestra annually since the conclusion of his term as Music Director in 1995. But on October 25-27, Slatkin’s yearly visit was made extra special. Earlier this year, Slatkin turned 80, and the SLSO turned his annual collaboration into a celebration of his birthday, and more importantly, of his profound impact on the institution.

SLSO Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin takes the hands of Concertmaster David Halen and Principal Cellist Daniel Lee at the conclusion of the concert.
The Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL was packed for the celebration of Leonard’s career.
Conducting from memory, Leonard Slatkin led Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, which he took on tour with the SLSO many times.
The horn section performs during Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.
A group of students from the Parkway School District play a game in the foyer prior to the concert.
Slatkin reacts to the world premiere of Grand Slam Fanfare, written by his son Daniel.
Ozzie Smith made a surprise appearance during Grand Slam Fanfare.
Slatkin and Ozzie Smith embrace.
Slatkin leads the U.S. premiere of Voyager 130, a piece by his son Daniel Slatkin.
In a contemplative moment, Slatkin waits backstage before leading the SLSO.
Slatkin was joined by his family for the special event weekend in honor of his 80th birthday.
Leonard Slatkin, left, and David Halen at a special dinner honoring Slatkin.
From left: Noémi Neidorff (SLSO Board Vice Chair), Leonard Slatkin, Marie-Hélène Bernard (SLSO President and CEO), and Daniel Slatkin.
A string quartet from the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, which Slatkin founded in 1970, performed at a dinner held in Slatkin’s honor. From left, violinists Samuel Wenger-Stickel and Essence Williams, Slatkin, violist Ava O’Bryan, and cellist Taochi Margaret Leung.

The concert program celebrated Slatkin’s family. It opened with the first SLSO performances of Timepiece by Cindy McTee, who is also Leonard’s spouse. The concert continued with the world premiere of Slatkin’s own arrangement of Domenico Scarlatti piano sonata for orchestral winds. A project borne from the pandemic, Slatkin scoured more than 500 sonatas for five that would work for his project. The U.S. premiere of Voyager 130, a piece that depicted humankind’s endeavors into space by Daniel Slatkin (Leonard’s son), concluded the first half—or so Leonard thought.

The orchestra had prepared in secret a brand new piece to debut in honor of Leonard’s birthday and love of baseball. Also composed by Daniel Slatkin, Grand Slam Fanfare paid homage to music that might be heard in a ballpark. Slatkin sat near the podium as Daniel conducted, dumbfounded at the surprise. As the piece neared conclusion, the Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith made a cameo appearance, simulating a hit with a bat he brought on stage as percussion made a cracking sound. A friend of Slatkin’s, he and Leonard shared an embrace at the conclusion of the work.

Slatkin, who described the concert as one of the “most memorable and moving” moments of his career, ended the program with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a piece he took on tour with the SLSO.

The celebratory weekend also included a discussion that traced the arc’s of Slatkin’s career at St. Louis County Library. A multi-day workshop culminated in an open rehearsal with the SLSO, conducted by three rising U.S. conductors mentored by Slatkin, who offered tips on leading an orchestra in real-time. The workshop reflected Slatkin’s staunch support of music education. And, a special dinner event held in Slatkin’s honor capped off the weekend of festivities.

Photos by Virginia Harold and Phillip Hamer

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