Robert Commanday

Robert Commanday
Born
Robert Paul Commanday

(1922-06-18)June 18, 1922
DiedSeptember 3, 2015(2015-09-03) (aged 93)
Alma mater
Occupation
Notable credits

Robert Paul Commanday (June 18, 1922 – September 3, 2015) was an American music critic who specialized in classical music.[1] Among the leading critics of the West Coast, Commanday was a major presence in the Bay Area music scene over a five-decade career. From 1964 to 1994 he was the chief classical music critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, following which he became the founding editor of San Francisco Classical Voice in 1998.

As a critic, Commanday held high standards, though his writing was interspersed with humorous comments. His focus concerned American music in general, but particularly ensembles, performers and events in San Francisco. Also a music educator and choral conductor, Commanday held brief teaching posts at Ithaca College and the University of Illinois, before a decade of teaching music and conducting choirs at the University of California, Berkeley.

  1. ^ Smith, Patrick J. (2001). "Commanday, Robert". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.47667. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021. (subscription or UK public library membership required)