Letter: UNLV will miss musical talents of Viscuglia

Tuesday, May 16, 2000 | 9:19 a.m.

Felix Viscuglia, from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Utah Symphony, is arguably Las Vegas' ranking musician, and he is the best blend of talent, decency and professionalism imaginable.

I have been fortunate in my career to have earned the respect of the people I respect, and in Las Vegas, Felix is the musician whose respect I am most proud and grateful to have.

When he was contractor of the Nevada Symphony Orchestra, it was the haven it should be from the inmates-running-the-asylum politics of the house bands. Talent and conscientious attitude were considered good, rather than a threat to the competition.

And in a society which so often spends a student's years building up his self-esteem and his professional years trying to tear it down, Felix had the generous heart to nurture the professionals to shine, without fearing it would steal his thunder.

He has the rare knack of getting people's best playing, because he is absolutely secure. One of the magical moments I stay in music for came when we were to rehearse Saint Saens' "Organ" Symphony. The visiting conductor's plane was delayed, so Felix stepped in, and we sight-read it better for him than we played it for the conductor later.

The Science of Mind philosophy has a wonderful quote. "Love is seeing things whole." Felix sees musicians whole. And best of all, he didn't retire from playing -- you can still catch his clarinet solos in the Las Vegas Philharmonic concerts.

KRISTIN NORTH

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