Noah Bielski (BSO violin, 1955-1972) oral history interview: Bielski, Michael, interviewee (Side A); Leonard Moss (BSO violin, 1953-1995) oral history interview: Moss, Leonard, interviewee (Side B), August 25, 1995; September 14, 1995, 2023-08-09T00:00:00+00:00

Cassette 71: Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on August 25, 1995; Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on September 14, 1995 (Side B).

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT

Tape 71, Side A

Interviewer: Bob Ripley Interviewee: Michael Bielski Subject: Noah Bielski Date: September 25, 1995

0:07 INTERVIEW BEGINS

0:25-2:18 early life; born in Poland; family was musical, brothers and his father all played; came to United States around age 4 and lived in New York; was in the air force band and the CBS orchestra; attended Curtis

2:18-3:30 studied with ZIMBALIST at Curtis; memories of REINER; likely began studying violin with his father at a young age

3:40-4:45 memories of father returning late at night after performances in New York

4:50-5:40 auditioned for MUNCH; friendship between Bob Ripley and Noah Bielski;

5:40-8:40 did not do much teaching, practiced frequently instead; was in a trio with Winifred WINOGRAD and Phyllis MOSS; played with quartets in New York too, with Bill and Louise STONE

8:40-10:14 was an advocate on the Players Committee

10:14-13:22 Noah met wife Louise while in Philadelphia, at her father's music shop; remained in Philadelphia for some time afterwards

13:22-15:58 was a master carpenter and enjoyed working with his hands; built a dollhouse; liked to play the stock market; and loved reading, especially psychology; bought and sold violins and collected art, especially from Canton

16:50-19:12 felt that the orchestra used to be very familial; would attend the Friday and Saturday performances together with others at his age; feeling that this change is true beyond Boston, as Michael is general manager at Pittsburgh orchestra

19:12-23:54 impressions of MUNCH; friendship with MUNCH developed through connection with VOISIN family; positive reflections on MUNCH and LEINSDORF

23:54-27:57 Michael's musical experience playing the clarinet; friendship with Pete BENSON; considered going into performance, but began to study composition instead; the Pops performed a piece that Michael wrote; continued studying composition in college at the University of Illinois

27:57-28:49 reflections on Noah's skill as a violinist; interest in a concert career

29:17-29:52 postscript: Noah born in Radom, Poland on January 1, 1919

29:52 INTERVIEW CONCLUDES

Tape 71, Side B

0:12 RECORDING BEGINS: LEONARD MOSS CONT'D

0:16-4:38 army service; his division stayed on after war ended; was originally going to be sent out again, but Hiroshima led to the end of the war

4:38-9:47 return to New York, began to practice violin again; ran into DIRATI(sp) while in New York, who invited him to Dallas, sat with Kurt LOBEL and formed new friendship with him; auditioned for KOUSSEVITZKY but did not get in, played the Esplanade instead; then played in the Cleveland Orchestra with SZELL, and continued playing in the Esplanade orchestra for the summers in Boston

9:47-10:56 story of being accepted to the Boston Symphony in 1952, but SZELL would not release him from his contract; was accepted to BSO in 1953 under MUNCH

10:56-12:20 reflections on time in BSO very positive; found a house in Lincoln, MA; son is musical and plays cello, daughter is a nurse

12:30-14:55 memories of travels abroad during time with BSO; travel to Russia, to South America with the Zimbler Symphoneta; travel to Iceland with a brass group and string quartet plus Rossario MAZZEO

14:55-16:10 teaching experience in the Boston area was not very positive; did not do much

16:10-17:00 impressions of MUNCH was unpredictable, could be very exciting; was very strong with the French repertoire

17:00-18:56 memories of Richard BURGIN as concertmaster being very forgetful, would often lend his tailcoat to Richard for performances; still thought he was a great man, good card player; memories of playing cards among the orchestra

18:56-24:12 memories of Arthur FIEDLER; rehearsals were always "bedlam"; had a good sense of humor; memories of talking with Victor MANUSEVICH talking to Leonard during a rehearsal; story of Victor MANUSEVICH driving them to rehearsals and concerts

24:12-25:22 memories of LEINSDORF; everyone had high hopes for him, but Leonard felt he was not good for the orchestra; too erudite, not very musical

25:22-26:54 felt STEINBERG was already past his time; experiences with guest conductors

26:54-27:37 impressions of Seiji OZAWA; likes him as a person, but feels he does not rehearse well

27:40-32:58 memories of conductor Michael Tilson THOMAS; European tour to Spain, Barcelona; Fran traveled with him; went on a birding trip while abroad

32:58-34:10 work with the De Cordova museum

34:10-39:11 retirement experience, still feels youthful; plans to travel; will play for his son's orchestra when he is well again; son continues to direct orchestra and choir and teaches, Fran accompanies both

39:11-40:40 final reflections on BSO very positive; glad to have played with the BSO

40:44 INTERVIEW CONCLUDES