THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100460
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Two decades ago, the principal violist of the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra, the concertmaster of the Peninsula Symphony and the director of the Feldman Chamber Music Society were all the same man: Ronald Marshall.
Marshall, a leading classical musician in Hampton Roads for more than 40 years, died of cardiac arrest Tuesday in his hometown, Newport News. He was 72.
Marshall began his music lessons at age seven, with legendary Norfolk pedagogue I. E. ``Izzy'' Feldman. Marshall's first ensemble engagements were with a family string quartet featuring his mother, his brother and, as a violinist, his younger sister Dora.
Marshall first played with the forerunner of the Virginia Symphony, the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra, in 1936. In 1947 he was tapped as violist for a new quartet formed and supervised by Feldman. Upon Feldman's death in 1963, Marshall assumed the title of music director.
``Playing with my brother was a lifelong experience,'' Dora Marshall Mullins said. ``The Marshall String Quartet performed all around Newport News. When we were kids, we loved doing it and also scrapped sometimes. We also did have some scrapping in the quartet, but it was our great love. Playing together and playing in the quartet for 28 years.''
``I call him the great arbiter,'' said Lawrence Mednick of Virginia Beach, who played briefly with the Feldman String Quartet in the late '40s. ``He would settle all these disputes in a very quiet way. He was delightful to play with. He had a beautiful tone and a dependable technique.
``He was just a fine guy to associate with. He was a gentle, warm-hearted nice guy with a ready smile, just the kind of friend you would like to have.''
In 1979, a Virginian-Pilot profile described Marshall as ``big-shouldered and white haired . . . like the man Central Casting would send over to fill the part of a classical musician.''
Mednick also commented on Marshall's wide-ranging musical interests, which ranged from antique musical instruments to new music. Marshall's solo recital programs included a 1968 survey of literature for the viola. He performed a concerto by American composer Walter Piston and also composed works including a solo violin suite for Dora Mullins and ballet music for another sister, dancer and choreographer Mary E. Marshall.
Marshall taught at Elizabeth City State University, Old Dominion University, the College of William and Mary, Virginia Commonwealth University and Christopher Newport University. He led the Peninsula Youth String Orchestra and served as string consultant for the Virginia Beach Public Schools.
Marshall is survived by two sons, seven grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.
His family will receive friends Friday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News. For more information call 595-4424. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Ronald Marshall was a leading classical musician in the area for
more than 40 years.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB