Seminal conductor
Fred Balazs was the first full-time conductor for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra from 1952-1966. On Dec. 12 he will turn 98 years old. He spends his days reading and writing is memoir at Sierra Del Sol Memory Care. He uses a manual typewriter. November 30, 2017
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Before his health started to fail, Frederic Balazs spent hours reading at the kitchen table of his foothills condo. He moved into Sierra del Sol memory care in spring 2017. He read thick biographies and history books.
- Cathalena E. Burch / Arizona Daily Star
Frederic Balazs, conductor of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1966, transformed a volunteer ensemble into a professional orchestra of regional stature.
- Bill Hopkins / Tucson Citizen 1955
Frederic Balazs led the Tucson Symphony Orchestra during it’s 25th anniversary concert in 1952. Balazs helped transform TSO from a small community group to a artistically accomplished ensemble.
- Wong-Sutton Photo 1952
Fred Balazs was the first full-time conductor for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra from 1952-1966. On Dec. 12 he will turn 98 years old. He spends his days reading and writing is memoir at Sierra Del Sol Memory Care. He uses a manual typewriter. November 30, 2017
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Frederic Balazs continued to travel the globe as a guest conductor into his 90s. He died Saturday in Tucson.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Services for Frederic Balazs will include full military honors.
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Before his health started to fail, Frederic Balazs spent hours reading at the kitchen table of his foothills condo. He moved into Sierra del Sol memory care in spring 2017. He read thick biographies and history books.
- Cathalena E. Burch / Arizona Daily Star
Frederic Balazs, 98, sits down for lunch at Sierra Del Sol Memory Care.
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Balazs has been typing his memoirs on an old Royal typewriter, although his work has stopped.
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Balazs, right, plays to a crowd in Budapest in 1938. His father bought Balazs his first violin.
- Courtesy of Frederic Balazs
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