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Firth died in his home in Boston on Sunday.
Firth was the son of a professional trumpet player and took up
the drums by high school. He joined the BSO in 1952 at the age
of 21 while enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Firth went on to become the orchestra's principal timpanist,
playing with conductors and musicians including Leonard
Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Leopold Stokowski, before
retiring from the orchestra in 2002.
"He was the single greatest percussionist anywhere in the
world," said former BSO conductor Seiji Ozawa. "Every
performance that Vic gave was informed with incredible
musicianship, elegance and impeccable timing."
Firth founded his drumstick company in 1963 and was regarded as
a pioneer in stick design.
He is survived his wife, Olga, and daughters Tracy Firth and
Kelly DeChristopher.
(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Bill Trott)
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