Leonard Sharrow (August 4, 1915 – August 9, 2004) was one of the foremost American bassoonists of the 20th Century. Born in

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, he joined the

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when it was first organized, eventually becoming principal bassoonist (and recording the

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Bassoon Concerto with

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in 1947); he also served in the U.S. Army in World War II. In 1951 he moved to the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenure ...

at the invitation of then-Music Director

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and served in a similar position there until 1964, when he retired and joined the music faculty at

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. He spent many summers on the faculty of the

Aspen Music Festival The Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) is a classical music festival held annually in Aspen, Colorado. It is noted both for its concert programming and the musical training it offers to mostly young-adult music students. Founded in 1949, the ...

before joining the

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra The ''Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra'' (''PSO'') is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District, Pittsburgh, Cultural District. History The Pittsburgh Sy ...

as co-principal bassoonist in 1977. After retiring from Pittsburgh a decade later he returned to Bloomington, and eventually relocated to

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, where he died of leukemia.

References

*Druckenbrod, Andrew (August 13, 2004).
Respected bassoonist was 'a joy to play with'
. ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette''. 1915 births 2004 deaths Deaths from leukemia in Ohio American classical bassoonists Aspen Music Festival and School faculty Musicians from New York City 20th-century American musicians 20th-century classical musicians Educators from New York City Classical musicians from New York (state) United States Army personnel of World War II {{NYC-stub