LOS ANGELES — An award-winning composer and former conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has passed away.
Marvin Hamlisch died in Los Angeles at age 68.
A family spokesman said Hamlisch died after a "brief illness." No other details have been released.
Hamlisch's career included composing, conducting and arranging music from Broadway to Hollywood.
The composer won every major award in his career, including three Academy Awards, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globes.
Hamlisch was principal pops conductor for symphony orchestras in Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Dallas, Pasadena, Seattle and San Diego. He was to be announced to the same position with the Philadelphia Orchestra and also was due to lead the New York Philharmonic during its upcoming New Year's Eve concert.
The PSO released a statement on Tuesday saying, "Marvin Hamlisch’s passing is a tremendous shock to all of us at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He was a true and great friend who absolutely loved the PSO, our audiences and this city. He considered it his second hometown and it clearly showed, whether he was taking in a Pirates game, dining at his favorite restaurants or patronizing stores.
His remarkable accomplishments as a musician, composer and conductor are well known and documented. We are indeed fortunate that he spent 17 seasons with us as our PNC Pops Principal Conductor, sharing his talents and creating memorable programs."
The statement went on to say, "But there was another side to Marvin. He was a gentleman who always found a way to brighten our lives with his sharp wit, wonderful sense of humor, kindness and grace.
There is no doubt that our audiences will miss him very much. He cared greatly about them and worked tirelessly to create the best possible experience for our patrons.
Marvin was a unique individual and our world is a less joyful place without him. He will truly be missed by the staff and musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Marvin's family, and his wife, Terre."
Hamlisch's music colored some of film and Broadway's most important works.
Hamlisch composed more than 40 film scores, including "Sophie's Choice," ''Ordinary People" and "Take the Money and Run." He won his third Oscar for his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for "The Sting." On Broadway, Hamlisch received the Pulitzer Prize for long-running favorite "The Chorus Line" and wrote "The Goodbye Girl" and "Sweet Smell of Success." A news release from his publicist said he was scheduled to fly to Nashville, Tenn., this week to see a production of his hit musical, "The Nutty Professor."
Hamlisch earned his place in American culture through his music, but he also had a place in popular culture. Known for his nerdy look, complete with thick eyeglasses, that image was sealed on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" during Gilda Radner's "Nerd" sketches. Radner, playing Lisa Loopner, would swoon over Hamlisch.
Hamlisch won an Oscar for his score for the movie "The Sting." He leaves behind a legacy in film and music that transcended far beyond notes on the page. As illustrative as the scenes playing out in front of the music, his scores helped define some of Hollywood's most iconic works.