Dear Group, As Mort Shafer's friend and publisher, I felt it necessary to pass on this sad news. I was blessed to know him and was certainly aware of his talent for arranging such beautiful horn ensemble arrangements. When he produced an arrangement for horn of some classical masterwork, it was because he heard it that way. He wrote the arrangement for Sextet or Octet, because it accomplished what both he and the original composer's music needed. It certainly had nothing to do with what his publisher was recommending :)
I have included below the paragraphs from email sent by his son, Steve Shafer. Sincerely, Sandy Petersen Pelican Music Publishing and Horn Player _www.pelicanmusicpublishing.com_ (http://www.pelicanmusicpublishing.com) Mort Shafer (written by Steve Shafer) Mort Shafer, 78, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2009. He was beloved and friend to many, bridge-player, joke-teller, father and grandfather, sweetheart. His heart was weak, and while he insisted he would follow Dylan Thomas' advice to "not go gentle into that good night", he eventually was ready to go. Mort taught music, played French horn, composed, and conducted 21 amateur opera productions. He hit his stride in his 70s, when he could no longer play the horn, and instead learned how to create sheet music on his computer. He arranged a symphony piece to be played by 6 French horns. The Puget Sound Horn Society received it so well, even encouraging him to conduct the group, that he continued to arrange more and more orchestral music for ensembles of 6, 8, or even more horn players. In the end, he created over 120 arrangements for horn ensembles, and he gained international renown through their publication. Most of those who played his horn music probably were not even aware of his prodigious musicianship. Mort could literally listen to a recording of a familiar piece being played by an orchestra, then sit at his computer and create an arrangement for a horn ensemble, including every significant bit of the melody, countermelodies, harmonies, rhythms, dynamics, and ornamentations of the original. And, he was "familiar" with a vast number of pieces, even volunteering at Benaroya Hall for years to label unlabeled recordings by listening to them and consulting his vast memory of classical music. Mort was an idealist to a degree most of us can only imagine. He believed passionately in equal rights for all, humane treatment for all, and political freedom of expression. He led protests against injustice, and wrote countless letters to editors, many of which were published. He was an inveterate kvetch, complaining not just for himself, but because he was such an idealist that he couldn't understand why our real world couldn't be living up to his fantasy of how the world should be. So, he complained! And frequently got a result. He helped save the Santa Monica Pier. He stood on the street corner with others protesting unjust wars. He protected free speech even when it cost him personally. And, he lived to see a black man become the President of the United States. Mort lived to see two beautiful granddaughters, Helen and Olivia. He lived in a world that was perfect in his conception of it. He spun out musical creations. He taught us all how to be patriots. And, when he could do no more, he passed on. Goodbye, Mort! We'll all keep trying to live up to your dream. by Steve Shafer **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
