Death

:

February 13, 2008

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Symphony

 

Roger Voisin was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 26, 1918, in Watertown, Massachusetts. He was the son of a French-Canadian father and an American mother. Voisin's father was a trumpet player, and he introduced his son to the instrument at a young age. Voisin's father was his first teacher, and he instilled in him a love for music that would last a lifetime. Voisin's talent for the trumpet was evident from an early age, and he quickly became a sought-after performer. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied under the renowned trumpet player Marcel Lafosse. Voisin's talent was recognized early on, and he was awarded the conservatory's highest honor, the Chadwick Medal, in 1939. After graduating from the conservatory, Voisin joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as its principal trumpet player. He held this position for over 25 years, and during this time, he became one of the most respected trumpet players in the world. Voisin's playing was characterized by its clarity, precision, and beauty of tone. He was known for his ability to play the most difficult passages with ease, and his performances were always marked by a sense of musicality and artistry. Voisin's career was marked by many highlights, including his performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of some of the world's greatest conductors. He played under the baton of Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Monteux, and Charles Munch, among others. Voisin was also a frequent soloist with the orchestra, and he performed many of the great trumpet concertos, including those by Haydn, Hummel, and Mozart. In addition to his work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Voisin was also a prolific recording artist. He recorded many albums of classical music, including several solo albums. His recordings were highly regarded by critics and audiences alike, and they helped to cement his reputation as one of the greatest trumpet players of his time. Voisin's career was not without its challenges, however. In 1963, he suffered a serious injury to his lip, which threatened to end his career. He underwent a series of surgeries and treatments, and he was eventually able to return to playing. However, the injury had a lasting impact on his playing, and he was never able to regain the full range and power of his earlier years. Despite this setback, Voisin continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also became a respected teacher, and he taught at several universities and conservatories, including the New England Conservatory of Music and the Tanglewood Music Center. Many of his students went on to become successful trumpet players in their own right, and they credit Voisin with instilling in them a love for music and a dedication to their craft. Voisin's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with many awards and honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1985, and he was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Massachusetts. Roger Voisin passed away on February 13, 2008, at the age of 89. He left behind a legacy of beautiful music and a dedication to his craft that inspired generations of trumpet players.

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