South Florida Classical Review

Friends of Chamber Music presenter Julian Kreeger passed away November 22.

Miami attorney Julian H. Kreeger died November 22 at age 84.  Although law was his profession, classical music was Kreeger’s passion and he devoted himself to it as a writer, artistic consultant, concert presenter and record producer. He deeply loved and cared about the art.

While still a student at Columbia University, he became classical music director of WKCR, the school’s radio station. After moving to Miami, he attended the University of Miami School of Law, graduating in 1966. There he met his wife Judith, later a Miami-Dade County Circuit Court judge. He returned to his alma mater as an adjunct professor of arts and entertainment law.

Over the years, he wrote numerous music commentary articles for the Miami Herald and, during the 1970’s, wrote a record review column for a monthly program guide-magazine, published by former classical music station WTMI. He hosted the weekly program “Collectors’ Corner” on the station for many years which featured recordings from his personal collection. He donated the vast collection to Florida International University in 2011, by which time it comprised 27,000 records and 17,000 compact discs.

When the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in the mid-1980’s (the result of a merger between orchestras in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton), Kreeger was part of the conductor search committee that helped to choose British conductor James Judd as music director. Later he became a consultant to the organization, playing a leading role in the choice of soloists and repertoire. When the financially struggling orchestra reached a crisis point in the mid 1990’s, Kreeger called on soloists and conductors, who he knew or had been associated with, to perform with the ensemble at minimal or no fee during one season. Judd also waived his salary for a year as well. (The orchestra was shuttered by management in 2003 following a series of deficits and a bitter musicians strike in 2000.)

Kreeger took over directorship of the Friends of Chamber Music, one of Miami’s most venerable concert organizations, in 1985, holding the position for nearly four decades. Over time, he transformed the concert series from a series of performances by well known string quartets and trios to a showcase for piano recitals as well. The concerts became a springboard for South Florida appearances by both veteran and up and coming keyboard artists. Among the pianists Kreeger presented, count Stephen Hough, Benjamin Grosvenor, Valentina Lisitsa, Simon Trpčeski and Vadym Kholodenko. Just last season, Emanuel Ax, a longtime Kreeger friend, gave a rare Miami solo recital for the series, a superbly played program of works by Beethoven and Schoenberg.

Perhaps one of Kreeger’s greatest contributions to the music world at large was his creation with recording engineer Peter McGrath of Audiofon Records. The label was notable for its high quality sound and light approach to editing and mixing. Kreeger specialized in recording artists who were either ignored by major labels or had scant discographies. Numerous recording sessions were devoted to pianists Leonard Shure, Seymour Lipkin Ivan Davis, Nelson Freire, Earl Wild, Lisitsa and David Bar-Ilan (who later became an Israeli journalist and politician). Kreeger’s son Abram, who directs the concert series Piano Lovers, recalled that “For over fifty years, many famous classical musicians practiced at my father’s Steinway, listened to records in his living room on his hi-fi set and performed on the Friends of Chamber Music series. He photographed many of those artists, some of whom used his photos for promotional materials. So much of my life journey has taken place witnessing his relationships with these amazing people.”

Looking to the future, Abram Kreeger said “While my father was truly unique, our family, his friends and the board of Friends of Chamber Music are committed to carrying his legacy forward.”

Julian Kreeger’s work as a concert presenter, his deep knowledge of music and infectious enthusiasm for pianists and keyboard literature made an indelible contribution to South Florida’s cultural landscape. He will be greatly missed.

Kreeger is survived by his wife Judith, sons Abram, David and Daniel and three grandchildren. Services will be held 1 p.m., Sunday December 1 at Riverside Gordo Memorial Chapel, 5900 SW 104 Avenue in Miami. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Friends of Chamber Music of Miami, 12800 SW 104 Terrace, Miami, Florida 33186.

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2 Responses to “Julian Kreeger 1940-2024”

1. Posted Nov 27, 2024 at 2:59 pm by William Capone

   Julian Kreeger was one of the most passionate & committed presenters I have ever had the pleasure of working with in my almost 47 years in the classical music business . I will miss him as a friend as well as important & treasured client.

   Bill Capone

2. Posted Nov 28, 2024 at 10:59 am by Lawrence A. Johnson

   Julian was a great lover of classical music and did all he could to support it, promote it and keep it growing in Miami. He was among the first to contact me to introduce himself shortly after I moved to Florida in 2000 to take up the job as classical music critic at the Sun-Sentinel (later moving to the Miami Herald).

   When I started South Florida Classical Review in 2008, Julian supported the site with advertising, believing our mission to maintain coverage of great music was important–not only for his chamber series, but for all presenters and organizations in the tri-county area.

   Julian was an uncommonly kind, generous and good man and he will be greatly missed by all wiho were fortunate enough to call him a friend.

   My condolences to Judy, Abram and the rest of the extended Kreeger family.

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