Kapell Returns

THE world makes a big deal out of musicians who die young. There are reasons for this, of course: People think of potential unfulfilled; and the departed musicians are frozen in time, forever young. In fact, there’s a song, “Forever Young,” isn’t there?

The pop world has suffered its losses—particularly as a result of drugs. And the classical world has suffered losses, too. I will cite early deaths-major ones-in the 20th century:

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

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THE world makes a big deal out of musicians who die young. There are reasons for this, of course: People think of potential unfulfilled; and the departed musicians are frozen in time, forever young. In fact, there’s a song, “Forever Young,” isn’t there?

The pop world has suffered its losses—particularly as a result of drugs. And the classical world has suffered losses, too. I will cite early deaths-major ones-in the 20th century: