Leonard Sharrow

Leonard Sharrow(August 4, 1915 – August 9, 2004) was one of the foremost American bassoonists of the 20th Century. Born inNew York City,he joined theNBC Symphony Orchestrawhen it was first organized, eventually becoming principal bassoonist (and recording theMozartBassoon Concerto withArturo Toscaniniin 1947); he also served in the U.S. Army in World War II. In 1951 he moved to theChicago Symphony Orchestraat the invitation of then-Music DirectorRafael Kubelikand served in a similar position there until 1964, when he retired and joined the music faculty atIndiana University Bloomington.He spent many summers on the faculty of theAspen Music Festivalbefore joining thePittsburgh Symphony Orchestraas co-principal bassoonist in 1977. After retiring from Pittsburgh a decade later he returned to Bloomington, and eventually relocated toCincinnati, Ohio,where he died of leukemia.

References

• Druckenbrod, Andrew (August 13, 2004). "Respected bassoonist was 'a joy to play with'".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.