Announcement by Christopher Stager:
William Carragan (1937-2024)
With heavy hearts, we share the news of William Carragan’s death. A distinguished musicologist and scholar, and my cherished friend, he passed away in Troy, New York, on June 9th.
While others will likely detail his exceptional contributions and life story, I choose to dedicate this space to my personal memories of working with him over time.
One of my first actions upon successfully reviving the Bruckner Society of America was to bestow upon Will the esteemed Julio Kilenyi Medal of Honor—a tribute that was long deserved and it gave me immense pleasure to present it to him.
In 2012, Will joined me on a trip to the Dominican Republic for a historic performance of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, marking the country’s first encounter with a Bruckner symphony. Will was there to guide the conductor through the score’s complexities. During our stay, we were filmed discussing the performance, a conversation that remains viewable.
An idea struck me on yet another journey to see a mutual acquaintance: I suggested to Will the creation of a booklet that would illustrate the variations across different versions and editions of Bruckner’s symphonies, complete with audio samples. With Benjamin Korstvedt’s help, what began as a small project evolved into the comprehensive tome, “ANTON BRUCKNER: Eleven Symphonies,” released by the Bruckner Society of America.
As many in the music world share their tributes, I pledge to publish any such reminiscences submitted to me.
The loss of William Carragan is deeply felt both by his friends and by the Bruckner community, where he stood as a towering figure.
William Carragan was a Professor of Physics at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, serving from 1965 to 2001, and penned a four-part textbook series for introductory university physics.
He is also credited for crafting novel performing editions for Anton Bruckner’s first, second, eighth, and ninth symphonies.
The original article, Death of a leading Brucknerist, was published on Slippedisc.
FAQs About the Life and Work of William Carragan
- Who was William Carragan?
- William Carragan was a respected musicologist, scholar, and authority on Anton Bruckner’s music. He also had a long career as a Professor of Physics.
- What did William Carragan contribute to the field of music?
- He created new performing editions of Bruckner’s first, second, eighth, and ninth symphonies and was known for his deep understanding of Bruckner’s compositions.
- Has William Carragan authored any books?
- Yes, Carragan authored a four-volume textbook on introductory physics and later, the book “ANTON BRUCKNER: Eleven Symphonies,” which details the various editions of Bruckner’s symphonies, published by the Bruckner Society of America.
- What special honor did William Carragan receive from the Bruckner Society of America?
- He was awarded the Julio Kilenyi Medal of Honor, recognizing his significant contributions to the understanding and performance of Bruckner’s music.
- Where did William Carragan pass away?
- He passed away in Troy, New York on June 9th, 2024.