Klaus George Roy Birthday Bash @ St. Paul's Church 1/25 Yesterday was the 85th birthday of the irrepressible, witty and erudite Klaus George Roy, annotator of the Cleveland Orchestra program books for some 30 years (along with multiple other duties) and a composer for probably more than 60 years. How fitting then, that this afternoon, a goodly gathering of his friends and fans gathered at St. Paul's Church in Cleveland Heights for a festive birthday party/concert. It may have been frigid out-of-doors, but inside, it was all sunny and warm! Karel Paukert started this tradition five years ago with a concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Eric Kisch of WCLV-FM (and elsewhere) remembered that event, and so, together, the two of them cooked up this splendid occasion, and opened it to the public.

Some twelve works in all were performed by a goodly number of Cleveland’s professional musicians in solo, duo or trio arrangements.

Mr. Roy has had more than 140 of his works performed locally and internationally. He’s still composing, by the way, so that number will grow. The most recent composition on today’s program was from last year – a pianistic birthday greeting for Mr. Kisch, which was number 418 of Opus 14. (More about that later.) The most recent opus number, however (the more pertinent number) was 142, which dates to 2000—a Millennial Fanfare for Mr. Paukert, to be played on the organ.

Performers included Danna Sundet, oboe; Margi Griebling-Haigh, English horn; Judith Ryder and Carolyn Gadiel Warner, piano; Stephen Warner and Erich Eichhorn, violins; Marcia Ferrito, viola; Diane Mather, cello; Noriko Fujii and Natasha Ospina, soprano; Sean Gabriel, Mary Kay Ferguson and John Rautenberg, flutes, and the previously mentioned Mr. Paukert.

Two former members of the Cleveland Orchestra were memorialized as well: Felix Kraus and John Mack. A special presentation from the Cleveland Arts Prize was made by A. Grace Lee Mims. Mr. Roy co-founded the CAP in 1960 with Martha Joseph by, in his words ‘throwing a Hail Martha pass to Martha, and she took it in for a touchdown!’

For many years, the Roys sent out a Christmas greeting which included a photograph taken by him (from one of their travels) on one side, and a composition appropriate to the season on the other. All of these ‘mini’ pieces were assigned to his Opus 14, which currently is home to some 418 works. And probably counting, at that. His music is entirely accessible, frequently playful and endlessly inventive. He takes inspiration from any event or circumstance with which he comes in contact: poetry, prose, scenery, and of course, commissions for specific players or commemorative events.

He attributes his longevity to ‘luck, a truckload of vitamins, etc., and at least one good Gene.’ That latter being Mrs. Roy’s first name.

Happy Birthday, Klaus—and many more of them!

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com
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