THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 18, 1996 TAG: 9609180033
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Appreciation
SOURCE: BY LEE TEPLY, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: 52 lines
HOBART LANGRALL, a quiet, gentle man whose work touched many in the music community, succumbed to cancer at the age of 70 last Thursday. He spent the last 43 years of his life in Hampton Roads, teaching students about the piano - but also about music and life.
A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, he came here to teach piano and music theory at the Marsh School of Music. In 1965, he began his own school in Virginia Beach. When he retired 20 years later, he continued to teach at his home in Ghent.
Some of his students have gone on to prestigious careers, among them Mellasenah Morris, who taught at Peabody and is now director of the School of Music at James Madison University.
Others may not be professional musicians, but they have been just as deeply affected by Langrall's teaching. Kathy Marle, whose sons studied with him, said he ``made music a joy for my kids.'' In his unique way, Langrall allowed his students to explore their own interests - classical or popular, performance or composition - and nurtured them so that music would become a lasting part of their lives.
Harold Protsman, professor emeritus at Old Dominion University, taught with Langrall at the Marsh School. Always impressed by Langrall's keen insights, he recalled that his friend never spoke of himself or of his achievements. Instead, he talked of his students.
He had much to say about 17-year-old Itzhak Gartenberg, who studied with him for eight years. The Norfolk Academy senior has played with the Virginia Symphony and gave a pre-concert recital in the lobby of Chrysler Hall.
Langrall, Gartenberg said, was ``not just a piano teacher, but one of the greatest educators to have influenced my life.''
Such feelings have long been shared by the local music community. But just recently, Langrall received wider recognition for his work. An article about him appeared in this month's issue of Clavier, a national journal for pianists. Written by Norfolk piano pedagogue Suzanne Guy, it included some of his ideas about teaching and specific piano pieces. It also painted a picture of a man interested in the many facets of a full life.
Accompanying the article was a photograph of Langrall teaching Mariya Ando, who this year won first prize in the junior-high level of the Baldwin national piano competition. Last Saturday, she played at Virginia Wesleyan College.
Only 15, Ando showed unusual maturity and refinement, shaping lines with a poetic sensitivity - as if singing or telling a story.
The loss of her teacher was deeply felt by all present, but hearing her play was a perfect way to reflect on his life and legacy. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Hobart Langrall by CNB