Chicago critic Andrew Patner dies

Chicago critic Andrew Patner dies

ATCA mourns the sudden death Feb. 3 of Andrew Patner, just 55, who was an engaged, articulate member of the Excom in the 1990s. A polymath — journalist, broadcaster and critic who covered classical music, opera, theater, dance, cabaret, visual art, architecture, books, films and public policy – he was best known in Chicago as Critic-at-Large since 1998 for 98.7 WFMT Radio, through his weekly conversation program Critical Thinking and thrice weekly Critic’s Choice commentaries.

He was also contributing critic to the Chicago Sun-Times since 1991 and appeared as a commentator on cultural and political matters for WTTW-TV. Other outlets included Chicago’s National Public Radio affiliate WBEZ-FM, Chicago magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Art & Antiques, New Yorker, Christian Science Monitor and New Art Examiner.

Andrew’s chief field was music. He accompanied the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on its last 17 national and international tours. Music director Riccardo Muti said, “I had enormous respect for him as a man of great culture and deep humanity. We had a sincere friendship and his death is a tragic loss to the cultural life of Chicago.”

For the fullest list of Andrew’s extensive credits, click here. Obituaries include the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and the University of Chicago student newspaper. A feeling memorial by New Yorker music critic Alex Ross includes other links.