Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Robert Marcellus was a renowned American clarinetist who was born on June 1, 1928, in San Francisco, California. He was the son of a professional musician, and his father played the clarinet in the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Marcellus grew up in a musical family and started playing the clarinet at a young age. He received his early training from his father and later studied with Rosario Mazzeo, the principal clarinetist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Marcellus began his professional career in 1947 when he joined the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra as the principal clarinetist. He stayed with the orchestra for two years before moving to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where he played for four years. In 1953, Marcellus joined the Cleveland Orchestra as the principal clarinetist, a position he held for 22 years until his retirement in 1975. During his time with the Cleveland Orchestra, Marcellus became known for his exceptional musicianship and technical skill. He was a master of the clarinet, and his playing was characterized by its clarity, precision, and expressiveness. Marcellus was also a dedicated teacher and mentor, and he taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for many years. Marcellus was a frequent soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, and he performed many of the major clarinet concertos, including those by Mozart, Weber, and Brahms. He also premiered several new works for the clarinet, including the Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra by Aaron Copland, which was written specifically for Marcellus. In addition to his work with the Cleveland Orchestra, Marcellus was also a sought-after chamber musician. He performed with many of the leading chamber ensembles of his time, including the Budapest Quartet, the Juilliard Quartet, and the Cleveland Quartet. Marcellus was also a member of the Cleveland Wind Quintet, which was formed in 1969 and included other members of the Cleveland Orchestra. Marcellus received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1964, he was awarded the Cleveland Arts Prize for Music, and in 1973, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. After his retirement from the Cleveland Orchestra, Marcellus continued to perform and teach. He taught at the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan, and he also gave masterclasses and workshops around the world. Marcellus was a beloved figure in the classical music world, and his contributions to the art form were widely recognized and celebrated. Robert Marcellus passed away on April 30, 1996, at the age of 67. He left behind a legacy of exceptional musicianship and dedication to the clarinet, and his influence can still be felt in the world of classical music today.

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