Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Robert Routch was born on August 22, 1948, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the trumpet and his mother playing the piano. At the age of 10, Routch began playing the French horn, and by the time he was in high school, he was already performing with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. After graduating from high school, Routch attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Douglas Hill, a renowned French horn player and teacher. During his time at the conservatory, Routch also played with the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. In 1970, Routch joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as the principal French horn player, a position he held for 23 years. During his time with the orchestra, he performed under the direction of some of the most famous conductors of the time, including Georg Solti, Leonard Bernstein, and Claudio Abbado. Routch was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to blend seamlessly with the other members of the orchestra. He was also known for his dedication to his craft, practicing for hours each day to maintain his high level of skill. In addition to his work with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Routch was also a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Routch was also a dedicated teacher, and he taught at several prestigious music schools, including the Juilliard School, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Michigan. Many of his students went on to successful careers as professional musicians. Throughout his career, Routch received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1986, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. He was also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Award and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Theodore Thomas Award. Routch retired from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1993, but he continued to perform and teach until his death in 2005. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest French horn players of his generation, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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