Karl Haas Passes

[Chuck Jackson]

Hello Everyone,

Karl Haas, the purveyor of fact, fiction, stories, information both good and bad, and fixture off Public Radio for what seems like 4000 years, passed away on Sunday. For those of you unfimiliar with his work, he was a rather pompous man with a droll delivery who could put an insomniac to sleep with his detailed insights to unknown soloists and music. No piece, no matter how great or small, was beyond his rather pedantic approach to musicology. Nonetheless, he brought music to millions, probably turned off half of them to classical music. My mom used to say the best thing about him was that you got to listen to the slow movement of the Pathetique before he put you to sleep.

Chuck Jackson

[Alex F]

I am very thankful for the gift of Karl Haas and am saddened to hear of his passing. He brought perspective and depth to music in a way that reached its soul and, in doing so, touched me, and many others, deeply. Like all of us, he had his shortcomings, but I have no doubt that millions who heard his programs now listen to music differently.

[Chuck(G)]

The only program of Mr. Haas' "Adventures" series that I can recall dealing with the tuba mentioned Harvey Phillips by name. He won my admiration for doing his homework.

I'll miss his dulcet baritone.

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There's a very good series on the net that takes the Haas thing one step further. It's Australian Radio's "Keys to Music". The host, Graham Abbott, occasionally picks up the baton and uses the Adelaide Symphony to demonstrate.

Here's the URL:

http://www.abc.net.au/classic/keys/