RANDALL CRAIG FLEISCHER – BardavonPresents

RANDALL CRAIG FLEISCHER (1958 – 2020)

The Bardavon/HVP was shocked and saddened to learn that Randall Craig Fleischer, Maestro of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, passed away suddenly on August 19 at his home in Los Angeles. He was much loved by all who knew him and were fortunate enough to create music with him. He was the heart and soul of the HVP and we send deepest condolences to his family and to all those in this community who, like all at the Bardavon/HVP, are devastated by this loss.

Fleischer became music director of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic in 1992 and was a leading force in the classical music scene all over the United States. His charismatic personality and contagious love of music ignited orchestral brilliance in every concert he conducted.

He was an active guest conducting career with many major orchestras in the United States and internationally including repeat engagements with the Israel Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Boston Pops, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Utah Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Houston Symphony and others.

Additionally, he was also music director of the Anchorage Symphony and Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.

Active as a composer, Mr. Fleischer was also a national leader in the area of symphonic rock and world music fusion. Pioneering these new and growing genres for more than 20 years, he had worked with artists such as John Densmore (The Doors), Natalie Merchant, Blondie, Ani DiFranco, John Cale (Velvet Underground), Garth Hudson (The Band) and Kenny Rogers. Mr. Fleischer’s arrangements and orchestral works have been performed by major orchestras worldwide.

He also composed several new works focusing on the interrelationship of Native American music and culture and the symphonic realm. He collaborated with artists R. Carlos Nakai, Burning Sky, The Hawk Project and The Benaly Family. Mr. Fleischer’s work “Triumph” premiered in Flagstaff, Arizona in 2005. His work “Echoes” premiered in Washington, D.C. in November of 2008 at the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian). Fleischer’s most recent work entitled “Symphony in Step” features the dance ensemble “Step Afrika” and is the first and only orchestral work featuring the African American dance tradition of “stepping.”

Mr. Fleischer first came to international attention when, while serving his first of five years as assistant and then associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), he conducted Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with Mstislav Rostropovich as soloist during the NSO’s 1990 tour of Japan and the U.S.S.R. Mr. Fleischer again had the honor of being chosen to accompany Maestro Rostropovich, once more conducting the NSO, this time in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in a performance of Prokofiev’s “Sinfonia Concertante” in celebration of the composer’s birth. In December of 1992, he conducted an ensemble of over 70 cellists, including Yo-Yo Ma, and a 190-voice chorus in the Kennedy Center Awards tribute to Rostropovich, televised nationally on CBS, with President and Mrs. Bush presiding.

Mr. Fleischer studied with Leonard Bernstein as a conducting fellow at Tanglewood in 1989. He served as the assistant conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra from 1986 to 1989. While working toward his master of music at the Indiana University School of Music, he served as chorus master of the I.U. Opera Theater program from 1983 – 1985. Fleischer received his bachelor of music education from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and has studied conducting privately with Otto Werner Mueller and in master class with Seiji Ozawa, Ricardo Muti, Gustav Meier and others.

A last look at Randy with the HVP

Sign Randy's Guestbook

88 entries.

Ellen Michaelis wrote on August 23, 2020 at 2:12 pm:

Such sad news. My deepest sympathy to his family, friends and the HVP. He will be missed! May he RIP!!

Ed and Carol Lundergan wrote on August 23, 2020 at 1:59 pm:

We were shocked and saddened to learn of Randy’s passing. We loved the performances that we were involved with - Randy’s passion, excitement and infectious love of choral music deeply touched each choral member and made each performance special. His presence and contributions to music in the Hudson Valley will be greatly missed. His death is a tremendous loss to our community and to all who knew and worked with him.

vincent bambinelli wrote on August 23, 2020 at 1:57 pm:

He is in my prayers.

Evelyn wrote on August 23, 2020 at 1:46 pm:

My deepest condolences. I will miss Randy's passionate conducting and his dances on the podium.

Steve J. Sherman wrote on August 23, 2020 at 1:41 pm:

This is so horribly sad. While I lost touch with Randy a while ago, I never stopped being a fan and delighting in his work with the HVP. We went to college together (Oberlin) and I did Randy's early professional photographs, and I knew then that he had a wonderful career ahead of him. With that sparkle in his eye, and mischievous yet contagious smile... With his marvelous intellect, and blazing musical virtuosity... He was always a delight and a... Read more

Catherine Rohrbach wrote on August 23, 2020 at 1:18 pm:

This is such sad news! Sincere condolences to his Family. I held season tickets to the HVP concerts for years, then began as a volunteer usher at the Bardavon, so have enjoyed nearly every program Randy conducted there. We were blessed to have him, and he has inspired so many in the community to love classical music. His enthusiasm, joy and wit radiated off the stage, and we will never forget him. RIP

Suzanne Kaplan wrote on August 23, 2020 at 1:08 pm:

So sad to hear this shocking news. Did not know him personally but he seemed like a wonderful person and a vibrant musical leader. To be taken so suddenly at such an early age is so tragic. An immense loss to the music world and I know to his family and friends also. My deepest heartfelt condolences.

Veronica & Mark Cerniglia wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:57 pm:

To Randy's family, Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincere condolences, Mark & Ronnie

Stephen M Rooks wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:51 pm:

I met Randall years ago when he invited me to choreograph a production of his orchestral work "Triumph" for the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra. He was a kind, passionate soul, and a consummate musician. My love and condolences to his family and friends....He will be missed.

Mary Crenshaw wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:44 pm:

A devastating loss, deepest sympathies to Randy's family, and to all our musicians who worked so closely (and so beautifully) with him. We have lost a great musician and a great showman, we will miss him forever.

Carole and Ted Wolf wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:33 pm:

Our dear and wonderful Randy, Since 1992 we have loved you and all the magnificent concerts that you have brought to the Hudson Valley. We will miss you and your bright smile and generous spirit! Rest in piece and play on in the next world💕

Pat Zito wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:30 pm:

I have had the pleasure of attending concerts conducted by Randy and have also had the privilege of singing in choruses under his baton over the years. His energy and excitement for the music enlivened the concerts and, along with his guidance, brought out the best in the music and the musicians. I am heartsore for all his many families and will miss singing the Mozart's Requiem with him that was planned for next spring. Thank you Randy, for all... Read more

Ted Prenting wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:16 pm:

With sympathy to the Fleischer family and, to Randy, thanks for the memories.

Patricia Jackson wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:15 pm:

What sad news. I was privileged to listen to the Philharmonic for many years and so enjoyed Randy’s pre-concert talks. My condolences to his family and to the Bardavon family.

Linda Skolnik wrote on August 23, 2020 at 12:09 pm:

What a devastating loss! Every concert he conducted was alive and inspirational.May his name be a blessing.

JIM holmgren wrote on August 23, 2020 at 11:48 am:

Like Chris, I was shocked to learn that Randy is no longer with us. He was such an institution in himself with the whole Hudson Valley music scene, that it's hard to imagine the Philharmonic without him. I send my most sincere condolences to his family and to the whole Bardavon and Philharmonic family.

Lurleen M Monteleone wrote on August 23, 2020 at 11:28 am:

I Will remember The first and last time I was privileged to see maestro Fleischer conduct so many wonderful musicians and THE joy of all those times BETWEEN. The SADNESS of his passing will be with me always. May peace surround his spirit eternally.

Roxie johnson wrote on August 23, 2020 at 11:23 am:

My heartfelt condolences to the fleischer family, bardavon & hvp community. Through Randy’s Gift & passion the world Became a better place. May his light shine...🙏🏻

Rae Slingerland wrote on August 23, 2020 at 10:42 am:

Deeply saddened by this news. It was always a joy and a privilege to Experience Randy's energy, enthusiasm, brilliance, and gracious manner as an audience member, a volunteer usher, and a choral singer at the Bardavon under his direction. My heart goes out to his family- we were all so fortunate to have him in our lives, and he will be dearly missed!

Sal Matera & Ann Jensen wrote on August 23, 2020 at 10:32 am:

My wife and I were season ticket holders of the HVP for many years. maestro fleischer's effervescent persona and ability to bring out the best in the Hudson valley philharmonic made resubscribing a pleasure. Randy lifted the orchestra to majestic heights as the performers fed off his enthusiasm and love of the music. We will miss him terribly. our condolences to randy's family and friends, to all attendees of his concerts and to all the performers who had the honor... Read more