Brief Obituary in Star Tribune and Pioneer Press

Complete Obituary in pdf form from Albin Chapel Funeral Home

Pioneer Press: Carlson's legacy: Schubert Club

Star Tribune: Obituary: Bruce Carlson

Minnesota Public Radio: Morning Edition talks with Dominick Argento about Carlson's legacy

Minnesota Public Radio: Bruce Carlson's friends remember musical visionary

North Park University: Bruce Carlson C’62, Champion of Music, Dies at 66

Carlson's legacy: Schubert Club

Thanks to him, once-tiny arts group attracts top artists to Twin Cities
BY BAO ONG
Pioneer Press

Mon, Jul. 31, 2006

Bruce Carlson, who transformed The Schubert Club from a tiny Minnesota arts organization into a St. Paul institution attracting world-renowned classical musicians to Twin Cities concert halls, died Friday of complications from leukemia. He was 66.

As the first and only executive director of The Schubert Club, Carlson lured elite performers such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman, adding St. Paul to concert tours that included Paris, London and New York City.

Carlson also supported young and up-and-coming artists and helped establish a museum of musical instruments and memorabilia at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul.

Minnesota Orchestra violinist Michael Sutton, who has played in Schubert Club concerts and events, grew up next door to Carlson in Minneapolis.

"I'm not sure if the community realizes what a void this will leave," Sutton said. "We just lost a huge impresario, and that impresario and that void are going to take a long time to fill."

The Schubert Club began in 1882 as a volunteer organization run by women that put on a handful of concerts. Under Carlson's guidance, The Schubert Club's International Artist Series gained prominence for bringing in notable performers while also providing a launching pad for the careers of lesser-known artists.

The fine-arts landscape in the Twin Cities benefited from Carlson's work, said University of Minnesota English professor Patricia Hampl, a friend of Carlson's for 25 years.

"He put St. Paul on the international concert circuit for musical artists of the highest caliber," Hampl said. "Bruce could do it because he knew how to treat people beautifully."

Carlson was born March 3, 1940, in Minneapolis. He attended Minnehaha Academy and went to North Park University in Chicago before coming back to Minneapolis, where he got a master's degree in philosophy and attended law school at the University of Minnesota.

When Carlson met his wife, Deanna, in Chicago, she could immediately see his passion for classical music. They married in 1964 and had two children, Vanessa and Max. They also had three grandchildren.

After completing law school, Carlson decided to work with The Schubert Club instead of pursuing a law career.

"Bruce wanted to do something he was passionate about," Deanna Carlson said.

Carlson also loved wooden boats. He kept most of his 25 boats, including a 1907 Swedish boat, at the family cabin on Bay Lake near Brainerd, Minn.

Carlson's work with The Schubert Club was a labor of love. Even after being diagnosed with leukemia in July 2002, he continued working.

In February, his son, Max, donated more than 5 million stem cells through a bone marrow transplant to his father, Carlson wrote in "The Schubert Club Notes" spring newsletter.

Carlson was recently in remission. He worked in his office and attended concerts. He and Deanna celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary by attending "The Great Gatsby" at the new Guthrie Theater.

"The arts were his true love," his wife said.

Sharon Carlson, the acting director of the arts organization and no relation to Bruce Carlson, said he made all artists feel welcome, which helped gain respect for The Schubert Club.

"He's just an irreplaceable person," Sharon Carlson said.

Rob Hubbard contributed to this story.

Bao Ong can be reached at bong@pioneerpress.com.

or 651-228-5435.