Bernard Garfield
Encyclopedia
Bernard Garfield is a well-known bassoonist, teacher, composer and pedagogue.
He studied at New York University
(1948 BA, English Literature) and received a master’s degree in composition
from Columbia University
in 1950. He received the ARCM diploma from the Royal College of Music
in 1945.He received an honorary doctorate from Curtis Institute of Music in 2009. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946. In 1946, Garfield organized the famous New York Woodwind Quintet
and directed it until 1957. From 1949 to 1957 Garfield held the position of principal bassoonist of the Little Orchestra Society of New York. He was also principal bassoonist with the New York City Ballet
Orchestra from 1950 to 1957. Garfield was principal bassoonist of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1957 to 2000, a position he held until Daniel Matsukawa took over in the fall of 2000. His compositions include a woodwind trio, quartets, piano solos, and of course bassoon literature. These works can be viewed and requested through the external link below.
Garfield retired in 2008 at the Curtis Institute of Music, and has retired from Temple University, where he taught from 1957-2004.
Among Garfield's most important solo recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra are the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante, K. 297b (1957), the Mozart Bassoon Concerto, K. 191 (1961) and the Weber Andante e Rondo Ongarese, Op. 35 (1962).
He studied at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(1948 BA, English Literature) and received a master’s degree in composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1950. He received the ARCM diploma from the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
in 1945.He received an honorary doctorate from Curtis Institute of Music in 2009. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946. In 1946, Garfield organized the famous New York Woodwind Quintet
New York Woodwind Quintet
The New York Woodwind Quintet is an ensemble-in-residence at the Juilliard School in New York City, originally appointed in 1987. At Juilliard, the members of the New York Woodwind Quintet present seminars each year for student woodwind ensembles, give regular coachings, and perform.The quintet's...
and directed it until 1957. From 1949 to 1957 Garfield held the position of principal bassoonist of the Little Orchestra Society of New York. He was also principal bassoonist with the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
Orchestra from 1950 to 1957. Garfield was principal bassoonist of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
1957 to 2000, a position he held until Daniel Matsukawa took over in the fall of 2000. His compositions include a woodwind trio, quartets, piano solos, and of course bassoon literature. These works can be viewed and requested through the external link below.
Garfield retired in 2008 at the Curtis Institute of Music, and has retired from Temple University, where he taught from 1957-2004.
Among Garfield's most important solo recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra are the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante, K. 297b (1957), the Mozart Bassoon Concerto, K. 191 (1961) and the Weber Andante e Rondo Ongarese, Op. 35 (1962).