Sandor Salgo, 97; classical violinist and symphony conductor taught at Stanford

Sandor Salgo, 97, a classical violinist and symphony conductor who was also an emeritus professor on the faculty of Stanford University, died Saturday at his home on the university campus, according to the Stanford news office.

The exact cause of death was not given. Salgo had been suffering from a heart condition and prostate cancer.

He joined the Stanford faculty in 1949, where he conducted the symphony and opera program.

He soon began to accept positions as conductor of various symphony orchestras in Northern California. He led both the San Jose Symphony and the Modesto Symphony from the early 1950s until 1970.

In the mid-1950s he became conductor of the Carmel Bach Festival and the Marin Symphony. He continued with both groups for more than 30 years.

“Sandor was very supportive of musicians,” said Jesse Read, managing director of the Carmel Bach Festival. “He had a way of getting the best out of them.”