Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

December 31, 1925 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Death

:

January 1, 2020 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Symphony

 

Jaap Schroder was a Dutch violinist and conductor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 31, 1925, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Schroder was the son of a violinist and a pianist. He grew up in a musical family and began playing the violin at a young age. Schroder's talent was recognized early on, and he was accepted into the Amsterdam Conservatory at the age of 14. He studied under the renowned violinist Oskar Back and graduated with honors in 1943. After completing his studies, Schroder began his professional career as a violinist, performing with various orchestras in the Netherlands. In 1950, Schroder moved to the United States to join the newly formed Little Orchestra Society in New York City. He quickly established himself as a leading violinist and became the concertmaster of the orchestra. Schroder's performances were highly acclaimed, and he was praised for his technical skill and musicality. In addition to his work with the Little Orchestra Society, Schroder also performed with other orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He also made numerous recordings, including a highly regarded set of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. Schroder's contributions to the world of classical music were not limited to his work as a violinist. He was also a respected conductor and served as the music director of the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston from 1975 to 1986. During his tenure, Schroder led the orchestra in numerous performances of Baroque and Classical music, earning critical acclaim for his interpretations. Schroder's dedication to the music of the Baroque era was particularly noteworthy. He was a proponent of historically informed performance, which seeks to recreate the sound and style of music from a particular period using period instruments and techniques. Schroder was a pioneer in this field and helped to popularize the practice in the United States. In addition to his work as a performer and conductor, Schroder was also a respected teacher. He taught at various institutions, including the New England Conservatory of Music and the Juilliard School. Many of his students went on to have successful careers in music, and Schroder was widely regarded as a mentor and inspiration to young musicians. Throughout his career, Schroder received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1988, he was awarded the Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau for his services to music. He was also a recipient of the Handel Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the City of New York for contributions to the arts. Jaap Schroder passed away on January 1, 2020, at the age of 94. His legacy in the world of classical music lives on, and his contributions to the field continue to be celebrated by musicians and music lovers around the world.

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