 Munch was under pressure to ease the 72-year-old Speyer into retirement, but failed to do so and Speyer outlasted Munch by 2 years.Very early in his career in the U.S., Speyer also played in the Boston Symphony Ensemble, a summer concert chamber orchestra conducted by Daniel Kuntz.Speyer was awarded both the Reconnaissance Française medal and knighthood in the Legion of Honor by the French government.