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Concerto

 

Donald MacCourt was born on May 22, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a professional trumpet player and his mother a pianist. MacCourt started playing the bassoon at the age of 12 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. MacCourt attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Sherman Walt and Richard Plaster. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1971 and went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the same institution in 1973. After completing his studies, MacCourt began his professional career as a bassoonist. He joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1974 and remained with the orchestra for 35 years, until his retirement in 2009. During his tenure with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, MacCourt performed under the baton of some of the world's most renowned conductors, including Seiji Ozawa, James Levine, and Leonard Bernstein. MacCourt was also an active chamber musician and soloist. He was a founding member of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, a group that performed regularly at the Tanglewood Music Festival and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. MacCourt also performed as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career, MacCourt received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1982, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show great potential for a solo career. In 1991, he was awarded the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Erich Leinsdorf Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes outstanding contributions to music education. MacCourt was also a dedicated music educator. He served on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music for over 30 years, where he taught bassoon and chamber music. Many of his students went on to successful careers as professional musicians. In addition to his work as a performer and educator, MacCourt was also a respected scholar and author. He wrote several articles and essays on the history and technique of the bassoon, and he co-authored a book on the subject with his colleague, Christopher Weait. MacCourt's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized by his peers and audiences alike. He was known for his virtuosic playing, his deep musicality, and his warm and engaging personality. He passed away on December 1, 2018, at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in music performance, education, and scholarship.

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