Harold Lawrence (October 23, 1923 – August 22, 2011) was a world-renowned classical music producer, and as manager of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra brought in Calvin Simmons as the director.
- 1967 - became first American appointed manager of the London Symphony Orchestra
- 1973 - became manager of the New York Philharmonic
- 1975 - became manager of the Buffalo Philharmonic (where he worked with Michael Tilson Thomas, now music director of SF Symphony)
- 1977 - persuaded by Edgar Kaiser to manage Oakland Symphony Orchestra.
Married Mary Morris (Lawrence) one of the first female news photographers at Associated Press. No children. Godfather to Libby Schaaf.
- Also involved in Oakland Youth Orchestra, Oakland Symphony Chorus.
- Member of Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, where he was instrumental in restoring the Necklace of Lights around Lake Merritt 2
- made a documentary about sculptor Bruce Beasley, and another about Beasley and Paul Cobb and their West Oakland activism in 1960s 2
Links and References
- Distinguished classical producer Harold Lawrence died; he was 88 Oakland Tribune September 2, 2011
- Harold Lawrence page
- Harold Lawrence on Oakland Symphony Chorus site
