Abba Norman Bogin

Abba Bogin, 85, a pianist and a Local 802 member since 1947, died on Aug. 25.

Mr. Bogin was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and won the Walter W. Naumburg Award and the Philadelphia Orchestra Youth Competition while still a student there. He studied conducting with Pierre Monteux, performed with major symphonies all over the world, conducted orchestras, operas and musicals, and recorded Beethoven and Brahms cello sonatas with Janos Starker.

Later, he became the music director to the famous lyricist and composer Frank Loesser. In the theatre world, he conducted, helped create shows, orchestrated scores and coached singers.

His 1971 Carnegie Hall “comeback” concert in which he performed two Beethoven concerti and conducted an overture with an orchestra of friends earned a rave review from the New York Times.

Mr. Bogin recorded the complete Schubert repertoire for violin/viola and piano with his wife, violinist Masako Yanagita. He also played and contracted T.V. commercials for the late violinist Arnold Black, a composer, family friend and partner in many musical ventures.

He served as a music officer for the New York State Council on the Arts, and was a union activist in Local 802 and AGMA.

Until his passing, he was president of the Bohemians, the famous New York musicians’ club.

At age 85, he was still performing publicly up until his death; some of his final repertoire included Brahms’s “Liebeslieder Waltzes” and Schubert’s “Trout Quintet.”

He is survived by his wife Masako, daughter Nina and son David.

source: https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/requiem-118/