This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic.

Albert K. Webster, who as managing director of the New York Philharmonic ushered the ensemble into the modern era, when major orchestras began to resemble corporations, died on April 3 at his home in Manhattan. He was 82.

The cause was complications related to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Sally Webster, Mr. Webster’s wife, said.

Mr. Webster held the Philharmonic’s top post from 1975 through 1990, mostly coinciding with Zubin Mehta’s music directorship. Mr. Webster’s accomplishments were unglamorous yet crucial: enormous growth in subscriptions, gifts and the endowment, as well as musicians’ salaries.

Beyond the Philharmonic, he helped create the American Arts Alliance and worked with the League of American Orchestras and the National Endowment for the Arts.