Theodore Brewster (BSO asst. principal and 3rd bassoonist, 1949-1961) oral history interview: Brewster, Theodore, interviewee (Side A); Leonard Moss (BSO violin, 1953-1995) oral history interview: Moss, Leonard, interviewee (Side B), September 14, 1995; September 15, 1995, 2023-08-09T00:00:00+00:00

Cassette 70: Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on September 15, 1995 (Side A); Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on September 14, 1995 (Side B).

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT

Tape 70, Side A

Interviewer: Bob Ripley Interviewee: Theodore "Ted" Brewster Date: September 15, 1994

0:14 INTERVIEW BEGINS

0:40-4:37 early life, born in Ohio; parents enjoyed music but did not play; brother played piano and organ; studied percussion in high school; was introduced to the bassoon after family moved to Illinois, the orchestra needed bassoon more than it did drums; took lessons from Dell FIELDS; attended one semester at the Oberlin College of Music

4:37-11:00 army experience; was part of army band; trained in Louisiana, then traveled overseas to Europe during the war; the band was involved with installing electrical equipment; after the war ended, remained in Germany for six months doing parades, etc. until they could be sent home; played with the GI Symphony Orchestra in Frankfurt, conducted by Harry BROWN

11:00-12:07 returned home in 1946, attended Julliard for a semester, then enrolled in the New England Conservatory; lessons with Raymond ALLARD and PANENKA;

12:07-14:16 while still in school, auditioned twice for the BSO with MUNCH;

14:16-17:20 first impressions of the BSO: was then the youngest member, and the only new member; sat with ALLARD, PANENKA, and PILLAR; felt very welcomed by the BSO members; thought MUNCH was a good conductor, especially with French music;

17:20-18:38 taught privately outside the BSO; did some chamber music; enjoyed golfing with STAGLIANO, Bob CAROL, LIPSON, Reuben GREEN, Leo PANASEVITCH

18:38-20:18 travels abroad in 1952 and 1956 for European tour; went abroad by boat, but Ted came back via plane for some more free time

20:18-22:25 memories of Tanglewood and KOUSSEVITZKY, played as a substitute with Tanglewood under Koussevitzky; thought he was a good conductor, but had a confusing beat

22:25-33:13 decision to retire in 1961 to pursue other interests; went to Orlando to play in the Florida Symphony with Henry MAZER as conductor; continued playing until about 1968, then stopped entirely; sold one bassoon, the other bassoon was stolen; became assistant manager at a hotel, which was converted to a youth hostel

33:37 INTERVIEW CONCLUDES

Tape 70, Side B

Interviewer: Bob Ripley Interviewee: Leonard Moss Date: September 14, 1995 Location: Lincoln, MA

0:12 INTERVIEW BEGINS

0:41-3:33 early life; born in Maryland; parents did not play, but enjoyed music, sister was a pianist; took violin to be able to play with his sister, took lessons near home

3:33-9:26 studied violin privately and then at Peabody; was the youngest violinist in the Conservatory Orchestra under conductor STRUBE; Strube had been a BSO player and spoke highly of his time there; teachers had a friendship with MENKEN, met above HILDEBRAND's violin shop in Germany

9:26-13:55 Went to Curtis for one year, auditioned after private training with HILSBURG; felt Hilsburg was not a very good teacher; aside about DORMAN as teacher in Baltimore; in 1938, went to New York and studied and played anywhere he could

13:55-21:15 during a summer playing in Cape Cod, met his wife Fran while turning pages for her during a performance; he was playing at a school Cape Cod in quartet and orchestra; Fran was accompanying David SACKSON; lived in New York, eventually began working with the New Opera Company with Fritz

21:15-49:47 army experience during World War II; was trained in anti-tank warfare, became an officer; went to Algiers with his batallion; did not serve in any army band, perhaps because he was drafted very early; was largely stationed in Italy for most of the war

49:47 RECORDING ENDS