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Reprint of “Going Forward With Radio” As Presented by: WFIL (Note: Mouse-over the triangle-arrow to turn the pages.)
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During his time with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Norman Black was an active member of the musician’s union and was dedicated to improving conditions for the Orchestra members.

Six months before his forced retirement at age 65, he resigned, at the sacrifice of a significant portion of his pension. He unsuccessfully sued the Orchestra association against forced retirement.

“All my life I have opposed discrimination and will, therefore, not permit the association to oust me strictly because of my birthdate but reserve the right, out of respect for my personal dignity to resign on behalf of other musicians who may one day face the same indignity,” said Norman Black.

After resigning from the Orchestra, he continued to play music and teach violin. In 1976, he reformed his Philadelphia Symphonette and performed three concerts before his death in 1977 at age 69.

Below is a reproduction of an editorial that ran in the Official Publication of the International Conference of Symphony & Opera Musicians.

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Reprint of newspaper article about the Arco-Arte Sinfonietta with Conductor Norman Black: Philadelphia Inquirer – January 10, 1954

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Norman Black and other Conductors and Musicians

Norman Black with Igor Stravinsky and William Smith (December 1953)

Norman Black with Seiji Ozawa – Conductor (1972)

Carlo Maria Giulini – Conductor (March 21, 1969)

Charles Munch – Conductor (March 10, 1963)

Dimitri Mitropoulos – Conductor (1945)

Erich Leinsdorf – Conductor

Istvan Kertesz – Conductor

Pierre Monteux – Conductor

Sergei Rachmaninof – Conductor (1939)

Norman Black Family Photos

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