Organist, conductor, and composer Massimo Nosetti died November 12, 2013, of cancer. He was 53. Born in Alessandria, Italy, he was titular organist of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Sanctuary of St. Rita in Turin. He taught organ and composition at the conservatory in Cuneo, and led numerous masterclasses in romantic and post-romantic organ literature, especially in Japan, Korea, and the U.S. He conducted both orchestral and choral groups, including Cantus Firmus, the choral group he founded. Nosetti was also a composer, primarily of organ and choral works. A member of the diocesan sacred music commission, Nosetti was active in the Associazione Italiana Santa Cecilia, of which he served as vice president from 1999–2004.
Robert “Bob” Sinclair died August 18, 2013, at the age of 69. Born and raised in Winnsboro, South Carolina, he graduated from Mars Hill College, North Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in music. He also attended Virginia Commonwealth University and Westminster Choir College, pursuing choral studies. In 1975, he became organist and director of music and fine arts for Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, Roanoke, Virginia, and cofounded the Southwest Virginia Opera Society, later known as Opera Roanoke. He also served as organist and director of music at Unity of Roanoke Valley, St. Thomas Anglican Church, and Williamson Road Church of the Brethren. He served various leadership roles for the Roanoke Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Thursday Morning Music Club. Robert “Bob” Sinclair is survived by his sister, his former wife, three children, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren.
As we go to press we have learned of the passing of Marianne Webb, 77, of Carbondale, Illinois, on December 7, 2013 in Marion, Illinois. Webb had a lengthy and distinguished career as a recitalist and professor of music at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. The February issue of The Diapason will contain more detailed information.
Hellmuth Wolff, Canadian organ builder, died November 20, 2013, after a brief illness. He was 76 years old. Born September 3, 1937, in Zurich, Switzerland, he apprenticed with Metzler & Söhne of Dietikon, Switzerland, before working for Rieger Orgelbau of Schwarzach, Austria, and C. B. Fisk of Gloucester, Massachusetts. In 1963, he immigrated to Canada to work with Casavant Frères, Limitée, designing organs for their new mechanical action division. After working with Karl Wilhelm, he established his own firm in 1968 in Laval, Québec. The firm’s website (www.orgelwolff.com) lists 50 opus numbers of instruments of all sizes, with installations throughout Canada, the United States, and in Switzerland. Hellmuth Wolff is survived by his wife Claudette, son Martin, and daughter Maya and her family.
