Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Sol Schoenbach was an American bassoonist and classical music artist who was born on February 13, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents encouraged him to pursue a career in music from a young age. Schoenbach began playing the bassoon at the age of 12 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Schoenbach studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he was a student of the renowned bassoonist Sol Schoenbach. After graduating from Curtis, he joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as their principal bassoonist. He remained with the orchestra for five years before moving to New York City to pursue a career as a freelance musician. In New York, Schoenbach quickly established himself as one of the top bassoonists in the city. He played with many of the major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He also became a sought-after studio musician, playing on countless film scores and television shows. One of Schoenbach's most notable performances was his solo on the soundtrack for the 1961 film "West Side Story." He played the bassoon solo in the song "Somewhere," which has become one of the most iconic pieces of music from the film. Schoenbach's performance on the soundtrack earned him widespread recognition and helped to establish him as one of the top bassoonists in the world. Throughout his career, Schoenbach was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Curtis Institute of Music, among others. He was known for his patient and encouraging teaching style, and many of his students went on to have successful careers in music. Schoenbach was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1974, he was awarded the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the music industry. He was also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, which is one of the highest honors in jazz music. Schoenbach continued to perform and teach well into his 80s. He passed away on March 13, 2019, at the age of 94. His legacy as one of the greatest bassoonists of all time lives on through his recordings, his students, and the countless musicians he inspired throughout his career.

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