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Barton Frank Obituary

Barton Frank Barton Frank, cellist and conductor, age 84, of Bellingham, WA, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011. Services and burial are pending. Memorials may be made in Barton Frank's name to the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Attn DEV office.Moles Bayview Chapel Bellingham

Published by Bellingham Herald from Mar. 12 to Mar. 13, 2011.
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Barton whipped up an amazing dinner as effortlessly as he played kodayi sonata. He was an amazing chef. Barton Frank conducted the Dvorak when i played soloist. Barton Frank conducted my debut at 13 with the Lalo concerto. He was a brilliant Cellist, a Hemingwayesque kind of man, and a very close friend of my father and with my Uncle- he´d been a friend since Curtis.
He had guns, racing boats, smoked cigars, and played carnegie hall. There was one Barton Frank. I was honored he taught me cello and the Brahms Double Concerto which i performed with my brother Greg .
Barton Frank is in my heart forever, i am very grateful to have studied cello with him. He looms large artistically for all who heard and were inspired by his extraordinarily expressive cello playing.

L Singer

Other

May 8, 2023

How lucky we were to have Barton as our teacher, coach, friend, confidant@! I mention him often when rehearsing with my 2 cellists down here in SD CA.

douglas gunderson

School

March 16, 2022

Barton Frank, unforgettable maestro, cellist, personality. Back in the early 70s, I re-entered my 3rd attempt @
university @ WWU hoping finally achieve an orchestral viola position. Barton was SO helpful for this situation as
we played so many of the orchestral masterpieces, including Strauss Don Juan, Heldenleben, Brahms, etc.
that are required audition pieces. Also getting coached twice a week in String Quintet ( a surplus of viola students) including the entire 2 books of Mozart. Barton was kind enough to swap my 18" viola for something
better and a little smaller. I was never able to repay him. His last recital I heard was his own Variations on
theme Paganini for solo cello. Barton was so impossibly far beyond us in talent and musicianship and need I say consequently intimidating. Thanks for keeping this site going ( and pls contact me) and thanks Mr Franck ...
Douglas Gunderson, viola, piano, guitar, recorders, organ and poet of Bham

Douglas Gunderson

Student

October 19, 2020

Barton Frank positively influenced by cello career even though I never formally studied with him. My brother studied cello with Barton at WSU and loved him very much. Barton scheduled a solo cello recital at the capital in Olympia, WA and my brother took me to it. I was about 10 years old at the time. I was enthralled with his playing. It was inspiring. Later, I pursued cello studies at the UW and became a solo cellist. When I was 25 I became faculty cellist at the University of Puget Sound and I needed to upgrade my instrument. Barton made a beautiful Celeste Farotti cello available to me from his collection. He knew I came from a family with little means so he let me pay off the purchase over time - without interest. His selflessness opened up many opportunities for me and I will forever be grateful for his generosity. It was life changing for me. I'm sorry for his passing and hope that his family can realize more from this message about the positive impact Barton's life had on others.

Pamela Roberts

January 20, 2020

Barton Frank was my cello teacher at Washington State University. I spent time baby sitting his children when he and his wife were away with concert obligations. I was thrilled to be in the orchestra and chamber music classes. Giving my solo recital was a highlight and Barton always gave me that added confidence. He was so knowledgable and dedicated to all of us. Thank you Barton for everything you did for us and for all the beautiful music. It was at your house that I discovered the How They Play books by Applebaum!
-Susan Minor Miller

Susan Miller

October 22, 2014

I got to know barton while a viola student at western. I had the priviledge of playing chamber music with him and spent a lot of time with him hearing his colorful stories about his life. I loved his antique collection and his paintings..a very talented man with a vibrant personality. I will never forget him

gina mael

April 5, 2011

As a teen student of Barton's in the late 70s I did not fully appreciate or avail myself of the wealth at my disposal, for which I am sorry now. Nevertheless, I am a better cellist for those lessons, and Barton's influence is still with me. I often made notes after my lessons and I was just reading those before I learned of Barton's passing. My cello is a part of his former rental fleet, too. I shall have to play Schroeder #57 (Dotzauer Op 120, No 17) in his memory! (And keep up the scales!)

Barb

March 24, 2011

Barton Frank became a major influence on my musical life as I began a graduate degree in cello performance under his tutelage in 1965. At times, he was an intimidating teacher and I strove to meet his expectations out of fear of embarrassment. But he always seemed to respect my efforts and for many years stood ready to help me any way he could. I got what I needed from him to insure success in my degree program. He was a stunning soloist who helped me kick-start a budding community orchestra. He and his Strad visited my student orchestras and adjudicated them on numerous occasions, always inspiring my students to reach deeper into the music. On a couple of occasions when I had the opportunity to play alongside him in a professional orchestra, he was a patient and careful guide. And of course, I will never forget his skill as a raconteur, gourmet chef, instrument connoisseur and bon vivant. I shall miss him very much as another chapter in my own life closes.

Ian Edlund

March 20, 2011

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March 18, 2011

Barton Frank was terrifying to me as a teacher sometimes, when I was a kid. But what he really taught me as a musician was the joy I could feel and give to to others when music is played magnificently.

Lisa Marcus

March 15, 2011

I had the privelage to care for Mr. Frank for the last few weeks of his life. We had the most wonderful conversations while I was feeding him. I am so thankful to have known him even for a short while. Even though he could not see the Arts channel, he sure knew who the composer was. I always looked forward to sharing time with him and was so touched by him. I will miss Barton.

Paris

March 15, 2011

barton frank was a great persoality and lived his life. not wasted. i am sure he influenced many people and. he lived a good long life in the music world. i would have preferred him to be around another ten or so years, but i guess the almighty had other plans for him. he will be missed. sincerely, rebecca sollender newman.

March 15, 2011

March 14, 2011

March 14, 2011

We were sorry to hear of Barton's passing. We met Barton through our daughter, Amy's, cello lessons. He had a wealth of knowledge well beyond his musical talents. Talking with him always left you a little smarter or walking a little taller. We can still hear him saying "What's not to like?"

Bob & Marlene Grasher

March 14, 2011

Taimi Gorman

March 12, 2011

A legend is gone. My life and career would have been completely different had it not been for Barton Frank. He gave a us a great musical education.

Marti Garrett

March 12, 2011

Barton's influence made an indelible mark on my life. He was my teacher and mentor since 1963. I will always treasure my experiences with him -- his boat parties, dinner with Ann and Adam, chamber music coaching, playing concerti, his conducting, and of course the lessons, which always strayed past the cello into its historical context and creation. Especially in my memory is our West Coast premiere of Menotti's Suite for two celli and piano with Joseph Levine, written for Piatigorsky's birthday. Barton's pool of knowledge was an ocean profound and complex permeated with sensitivity and humanistic humor. He was unusual, quite special and gave more than I believe he ever knew. He will always be deeply missed.

My condolences to Adrienne, Leora, Eamon and Marcus.

Mannfried Funk
Seattle Cellist/teacher

Mannfried Funk

March 12, 2011

Barton Frank was a musical inspiration to me as I entered the Washington State University Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 1966. He had the group perform the symphonic repertoire with passion and excitement, which was noted by the WWU Music Department who brought him to join Western’s faculty in the fall of 1969. Through his strong recommendation, I became Bellingham High School's Orchestra Director in the fall of 1970, and enjoyed very much being under his baton as a “community” member of his university orchestra for several years. My condolences to Adrienne, Leora, and Eamon at the passing of their father and also to Sharon, his long-time friend. Though gone, Barton Frank’s legacy will no doubt continue into the future.

Mark Schlichting

March 12, 2011

My heartfelt condolences to Barton's natural and musical families as they cope with their loss. In the hope of easing our pain and loss, I simply wish to offer here what I would say to Barton.
Good bye , dear friend and mentor.
I shall miss our discussions about music, peppered with your Bartonian humor. You are with the other great ones now. I hope that they will fix you up with a great cello, a Strad or Montagnana, no less. Somehow I cannot picture you playing the harp.
I shall remember you as a great artist, an inspiring teacher and a dear friend! And, yes, I will practice scales more often.
Béla

March 12, 2011

Taimi Gorman

March 12, 2011

In 1973, I was definitely not one of Mr. Frank's best cello students, but the orchestra was an important part of my life. The friends I made at that time gathered at my house annually for the past decade for a dinner party with him that often included music, but always included stories. Barton was entertaining, funny and brilliant. We will miss him at our reunion this summer and always.

Taimi Gorman

March 12, 2011

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