I have just discovered the radio show, RadioLab.org and was listening to the season one episode about time. While listening to the sound of a girl growing up, from infancy to age 12, compressed to a natural sounding 2'12", I began to weep from the profundity. When they credited Tony Schwartz, I had to learn more. It took several clicks and a few more minutes to then find out the sad news that he had passed away six months ago. I am so sorry, yet, I had to express here how grateful I am to now have discovered his work. I will cherish all of it.
To soak up the everyday left unrecorded happening right before our ears....that takes a listener, a humble observer of life's natural beauty....what Tony is, truly, is a sounds of life sculptor....there are two other New York artists I can think of who took the same life-sounds philosophy, namely John Cage and Harry Smith....Cage himself in my John Cage Man and Myth DVD mentions just the idea of listening out your NYC window...he lived late in life in a great green-garden loft shared with Merce Cunningham right above 6th Avenue and 18th Street...his writing table was adjacent to that window....and Cage lined his window sills with tiny potted cactuses and other plants which drew photoelectricity from the liquid windy sky....I'm proud to be the older brother of the great jazz singer Judy Wexler who is currently works with sax-man Anton, the brilliant son of Tony Schwartz following in his footsteps...see ya Sept. 21 at the Blue Note for your NYC gig, guys!
I never met Tony in person, but i feel I knew him. He was/is one of my mentors. Through his ability to touch the emotions and ignite the imagination, he has inspired a generation of audio creators like me and hopefully, through our work, we can inspire another generation. Thank you Tony. I continue to learn from you.
Date:
8/2/2008, 9:05 pm, EST
Name:
Dave Quance
Email:
Number:
13
I interviewed Tony for a number of documentaries on CTV (Canadian Television) in the late '70s and talked to him for some hours then and later, since I also worked for political parties on a part-time basis. During those talks I learned quite a bit from him, while also admiring not only his knowledge but his sense of humour and sense of fun. My deepest sympanty to all his family
Dear Reenah, Please forgive my long delay in responding to the passing of my friend and your husband, Tony. I will remember his work, and the many times I was in your home, eating, talking and laughing.
My sympathy and thoughts are with you and your family.
I was privileged to meet Tony once: he very kindly donated sound from Paul Robeson's Peekskill concert for my audio documentary "American as Apple Pie." We still have much to learn from him. I think he would have made a great contribution to this new age of interactive/ networked media. We'll miss him.
Date:
7/16/2008, 10:42 pm, EST
Name:
Susan Blanchard
Email:
Number:
10
Reenah, I just heard today about Tony's passing. I'm so sorry for your loss. My father passed away April 29 and my mom died June 24, so I have a little understanding about what you're experiencing. We didn't know Tony "back in the day", but we certainly loved and appreciated the Tony (and the Reenah) we knew. I wish I was in NYC to hand you a bouquet of flowers to make you "feel like Miss America." I'll be dropping you a card soon. We love you and will be thinking about you. By the way, Allison is coming from Alaska July 30-Aug 13--sure will be wonderful having her home for a while. I hear Chelsea is back and is in Allison's original apartment Take care, Reenah. Susan Blanchard (from Oregon)
Although I never met Tony I feel like we are fellow travelers. Yes, RESONANCE! His ideas and writings have been the platform of my creative audio and media work for 30 years. I'm inspired by his simplicity and brilliance. I seldom give a talk without using an example from Tony's work. I'm saddened by his passing but am confident that his life and work will influence, inform and inspire for many generations. In Peace.. Bob
Date:
7/2/2008, 9:04 am, EST
Name:
Liinda Sax
Email:
Number:
8
Anton, Kayla & Reenah.. So sorry to hear about Tony's passing. He was a brilliant man. I was always impressed when we visited you when we lived in New York. Even though I'm a step-niece, through my mother Pearl and my step-father Larry I recognized his brilliance and ability to overcome his limitations in a way most people would never have dreamed of. Instead of being limited by his handicaps he took a unique approach and was a vital, caring and brilliant man who contributed a great deal to society and exposed the world to a side of life and an audiological experience that nobody else would have thought to preserve. He was so brilliant that important figures sought him out on his terms and he was truly ahead of his class and involked technology in its infancy. I am proud to have known him and to be part of the Schwartz family. Tony's legacy and contributions will always be remembered by those lives he affected and the historical recollections that will serve as a memory for students, people and society as a whole. Love to all of you Reenah, Anton & Kayla and Josie & Jeanette as well. Treasure your memories of a great man who overcame his disabilities, and contributed greatly to society and the media world.
I met Tony while mixing audio for a feature film on the streets of New York, not far from his apartment. We exchanged cards and later, he invited me to visit his studio to meet his lovely wife, Reenah. Was in happy awe to have met a fellow audio traveler. We spent a lovely day together, with much laughter and understanding. A generous and ingenious adventurer was Mr. Schwartz. Delighted to have made his acquaintance in such a magical way.
My heartfelt sorrow goes to his friends and family.
Take care, Reenah. Susan Blanchard (from Oregon)