Sven Reher, 79; Violist Active in Southland

Sven Reher, the German refugee whose viola artistry was praised by conductors dating from Otto Klemperer’s years with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Roger Wagner’s lengthy affiliation with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, has died in a convalescent home in Fallbrook.

Dimitri Bess said Monday that his longtime friend had died Jan. 31 of heart failure. He was 79 and had suffered a stroke some time ago.

Teacher, artist and composer, Reher (with and without his late brother, cellist Kurt Reher) was prominent on the Los Angeles music scene from 1934, when he was plucked from his studies at UCLA to audition for Klemperer.

“When I started,” said Reher, who fled Germany as a young man to continue his musical education in this country, “there was only one other Philharmonic member who was a college man. . . .

“Now,” he said in a Times interview in 1981, “you have Ph.Ds sitting in the sections.”

He and his brother were prominent members of the old Evenings on the Roof program in postwar Los Angeles, where the works of modern composers often made their California debuts.

His former wife, pianist Anne Sullivan, also was a frequent collaborator.

Besides the Philharmonic, Sven Reher was associated with the Sinfonia Orchestra of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the California Chamber Symphony and the symphony orchestras of Brentwood, Huntington Park, Santa Monica, Compton, Glendale, Santa Barbara and Pasadena.

As a composer, Reher wrote 12 studies for viola, a sonata for solo viola and a rhapsody for flute and viola.

His recording of the Hindemith solo sonata, Opus 25, No. 1, was nominated for a Grammy.

His survivors include three sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service has been scheduled for Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center. He had taught at UCLA.