Luis Biava, Longtime Philadelphia Orchestra Violinist (And Stand-In Conductor And All-Around Savior), Dead At 85

“Luis Biava joined the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1968 as a violinist and ended up staying more than three decades, but he never had a title that fully captured everything he meant to the ensemble and the organization. He was a respected conductor and, sitting among the first-stand players near the podium, was ready to be called upon to lead a concert at the last minute. He was an unofficial diplomat,” once defusing (in Spanish) a very tense labor dispute that broke during a tour rehearsal in Mexico City.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

Article source here:Arts Journal