ST. LOUIS — On Monday night, hundreds gathered for one of the biggest classical music concerts of the year, a special birthday celebration for one of St. Louis' legendary conductors, Leonard Slatkin.
Slatkin has had an illustrious career serving as maestro in St. Louis and across the globe. Monday night inside the historic Sheldon Concert Hall, you could feel the emotion coming off the ivories and strings.
It wasn't to the tune of "Happy Birthday," but listening to internationally acclaimed musicians ring in the 80th birthday of Slatkin was maybe a bit more special.
"Since I've had so much of my life connected with St. Louis and in particular with the orchestra and the Chamber Music Society, this is a marvelous honor," Slatkin said. "I'm very, very happy to be here."
Born on Sept. 1, 1944, and picking up his first instrument, the violin, in 1947, Slatkin has played roles as music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from 1979 to 1996. When he left the symphony, he was named conductor laureate, a position he still holds.
The event at Sheldon Concert Hall also commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis.
"We have amazing talent in St. Louis. That's what we feel our responsibility is to help coach those folks. They do go on to significant music schools all over the country. As far as Leonard tonight, he was the inspiration for that," said Marc Gordon, the executive and artistic director for the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis.
From the fashion to the music choices, "vintage" was theme of Monday night's event.
"Classical music is vintage music," said event chairwoman Miran Halen. "It's been out there for many centuries, but also, fashion is part of vintage. So, we combined the art of classical music with the art of fashion."
Slatkin also wrote the music used to introduce KSDK broadcasts from late 1986-1990.
"I actually took the first four notes of a Rachmaninoff symphony and turned that into a kind of rhythmic strong news thing with pianos and xylophones," Slatkin said.
Even "The Wizard" Ozzie Smith said he had to support his friend especially because they're both big fans of the Cardinals and quality composition.
"Music has always been a part of my life," Smith said. "Getting to the symphony and having a chance to widen the horizons has always been important."
The Chamber starts its season on Sept. 23 with a concert titled "Open Strings."
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is celebrating Slatkin's birthday on Oct. 25 and 27 with concerts he will lead that include music by his wife and son.