R.I.P Marvin Hamlisch — Page 5

His funeral service today was extraordinary. Beautiful, moving, joyful and the Temple was filled with song and love.

I was honored to have been included in the chorus which sang in tribute to this great man this morning. We sang a stunning arrangement of 'The Way We Were', 'What I Did For Love' and 'At The Ballet' (with Idina Menzel as soloist).

Speakers included former President Bill Clinton, Howard Stringer, Ronald Lauder, friends and colleagues and his widow, Terre.

All touched upon how this man was a true genius, but he was a genuine man, as well. He never said 'no' and was a passionate supporter of arts organizations and keeping funding for arts in our schools. He had a sense of humor, was a friend to all, and loved dessert. One speaker told of a luncheon held in his honor, during which only desserts were served! He seized the goodness in life and lived right up until he died. He was thrilled with the good reviews of 'Nutty Professor' and, in the end, he died a happy man.

He died too soon. He died far too soon.

His music, and his legacy, will live forever.


"Marvin taught me how to live life with gusto and magic" - Terre Blair Hamlisch

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Updated On: 8/14/12 at 02:54 PM

I was there today singing toi NYadgal..7E North, Tenor 1, beautiful service...

QUOTE: "Hamlisch, who became the youngest person accepted by The Juilliard School at age 7, became one of the most decorated artists in history, winning three Oscars, four Emmys, four Grammys, a Tony, a Pulitzer and two Golden Globes."

did not know he had won that many awards. what an amazing talent. wish I could have been at his funeral.

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Addy, Thanks for sharing your experience.

I have had the song, "One" running in my head quite frequently now. I can't believe it had taken me years to see the original production of A Chorus Line, but took advantage of seeing the tour 4 times in two weeks when it was in DC 3 years ago. The closing number got to me every time.

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Thanks for sharing that! She captured so many of the details.

I was seated on the aisle of my row, and across the aisle from me was Robert Klein (who wiped tears away throughout the service). In front of him was Donna McKechnie, next to Susan Lucci, who was across from Kelli O'Hara, who was in front of Marc Shaiman... it was a room filled with remarkable talent - all there to celebrate this one special man, and his lifetime of achievement and his ability to make the world a better place.

I will always keep my copies of the sheet music, on which is printed that the arrangements were adapted and used with permission for Marvin Hamlisch Funeral.

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Here is my article: A Lovefest for a Mensch-A Celebration of the Life of Marvin Hamlisch at Temple Emanu-El on DCMTA.
A Lovefest for a Mensch-A Celebration of the Life of Marvin Hamlisch at Temple Emanu-El on DCMTA