Genre

:

Choral

 

Robert Eliscu was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music through his exceptional skills as an oboist, conductor, and educator. Born on August 22, 1927, in New York City, Eliscu grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Simon Eliscu, was a violinist, and his mother, Lillian Eliscu, was a pianist. Eliscu's parents recognized his musical talent at an early age and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Eliscu began his musical training at the age of nine, studying the violin with his father. However, he soon switched to the oboe, which became his primary instrument. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School of Music, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1949. He then went on to study with Marcel Tabuteau, the legendary oboist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. After completing his studies, Eliscu began his professional career as a freelance oboist, performing with various orchestras and chamber ensembles. He also served as the principal oboist of the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra from 1951 to 1953. In 1953, he joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as its principal oboist, a position he held for 12 years. During his tenure with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Eliscu gained a reputation as one of the finest oboists of his generation. He was known for his beautiful tone, impeccable technique, and expressive playing. He also performed as a soloist with the orchestra on numerous occasions, earning critical acclaim for his performances. In addition to his work with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Eliscu was also active as a chamber musician. He was a founding member of the Pittsburgh Chamber Players, a group that performed regularly in the Pittsburgh area and recorded several albums. He also performed with the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont, where he collaborated with some of the world's most renowned musicians. Eliscu's career as a conductor began in the 1960s when he was appointed the music director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. He held this position for 10 years, during which time he transformed the orchestra into one of the finest youth orchestras in the country. He also served as the music director of the Pittsburgh Opera from 1970 to 1972. Eliscu's reputation as a conductor continued to grow, and he was invited to guest conduct many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was also a frequent guest conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, with whom he recorded several albums. In addition to his work as a performer and conductor, Eliscu was also a dedicated educator. He taught at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music in Pittsburgh for over 30 years, where he mentored countless young musicians. He was known for his rigorous teaching style and his commitment to helping his students achieve their full potential. Eliscu's contributions to the world of music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1976, he was awarded the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's "Man of the Year" award for his outstanding contributions to the orchestra. He was also awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Juilliard School of Music in 1987. Eliscu retired from his position at Carnegie Mellon University in 1994 but continued to perform and conduct until his death in 1998.

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