Fisher, Avery (Robert)

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Fisher, Avery (Robert)

Fisher, Avery (Robert), American pioneer in audio equipment and munificent music patron; b. N.Y., March 4, 1906; d. New Milford, Conn., Feb. 26, 1994. He was educated at N.Y. Univ. (B.S., 1929); then worked for the publishing house of Dodd, Mead as a graphics designer (1933–3). In 1937 he founded the Phil. Radio firm, later known as Fisher Radio. It became one of the foremost manufacturers of audio equipment in the world, producing high-fidelity and stereophonic components. Having amassed a substantial fortune, he sold the firm in 1969. In 1973 he gave the N.Y. Phil. $10 million to renovate the interior of Phil. Hall; in 1976 it was inaugurated at a gala concert in which it was officially renamed Avery Fisher Hall in his honor. He also created the Avery Fisher Prize, which is awarded to outstanding musicians of the day.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire