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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dallas Music Director Dies In Plane Crash

Compiled From Wire Services

Eduardo Mata, music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for 16 years and renowned as one of Mexico’s greatest maestros, was killed Wednesday when the plane he was piloting crashed near Mexico City.

Mata and his girlfriend, Marina Anaya, died when his private plane crashed minutes after a morning takeoff from an airport near the maestro’s home, according to a statement from his New York public relations firm, Shirley Kirshbaum & Associates.

Mexican aviation authorities said the flight plan indicated the twin-engine plane, with Mata at the controls, was headed for Monterrey in northern Mexico.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

“It’s a great loss,” said Craig B. Dory of Dorian Recordings in Troy, N.Y. Mata, 52, had recorded on Dory’s label for the past four years.

Under Mata, the Dallas Symphony surged from regional orchestra status to worldwide success, winning an RCA recording contract, touring Europe in 1985 and twice performing at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.