David Boe
Encyclopedia
David Boe is an organist
and was head of the organ department of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
, where he taught from 1962 to 2008. He is most notable for his work as a pedagogue, having trained a large number of organists during his time at Oberlin.
during his undergraduate years, and he later studied with Arthur Poister
at Syracuse University
. As a Fulbright scholar, he studied with Helmut Walcha
, and later with Gustav Leonhardt
. Shortly after his study with Walcha, he was appointed to the organ faculty at Oberlin, from which he retired in 2008.
Boe commissioned organ-builder John Brombaugh
's first major instrument, Opus 4 in Lorain, Ohio, and has always been keenly interested in historical performance and early temperaments. He was interviewed on the nationally televised program The Wind at One's Fingertips.
Since 1962 Boe has taught hundreds of organists at Oberlin, including fellow Oberlin faculty member James David Christie
. He retired in May 2008 after 46 years of teaching.
Boe served as music director and organist for over 40 years at First Lutheran Church, Lorain, Ohio
.
Boe made significant appearances on two CDs: Brombaugh Opus 9, a commercial recording highlighting a new mean-tone organ by Brombaugh, and Organs of Oberlin (Gasparo), a recording of the various styles of organ at the conservatory.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and was head of the organ department of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, located on the campus of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, was founded in 1865 and is the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States. Students of Oberlin Conservatory enter a very broad network within the music world, as the school's alumni...
, where he taught from 1962 to 2008. He is most notable for his work as a pedagogue, having trained a large number of organists during his time at Oberlin.
Life
Boe attended St. Olaf CollegeSt. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is a coeducational, residential, four-year, private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American immigrant pastors and farmers, led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after Olaf II of Norway,...
during his undergraduate years, and he later studied with Arthur Poister
Arthur Poister
Arthur Poister was an eminent American organist, who was especially renowned as one of the country's leading pedagogues of future generations of musicians....
at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. As a Fulbright scholar, he studied with Helmut Walcha
Helmut Walcha
Helmut Walcha was a blind German organist who specialized in the works of the Dutch and German baroque masters and is known for his recordings of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach.- Biography :Born in Leipzig, Walcha was blinded at age 19 after vaccination for smallpox...
, and later with Gustav Leonhardt
Gustav Leonhardt
Gustav Leonhardt is a highly renowned Dutch keyboard player, conductor, musicologist, teacher and editor. Leonhardt has been a leading figure in the movement to perform music on period instruments...
. Shortly after his study with Walcha, he was appointed to the organ faculty at Oberlin, from which he retired in 2008.
Boe commissioned organ-builder John Brombaugh
John Brombaugh
John Brombaugh is an American master pipe organ builder, known for his historically-oriented tracker action instruments, some of which are capable of playing at different historical pitches.-Personal life and early training:...
's first major instrument, Opus 4 in Lorain, Ohio, and has always been keenly interested in historical performance and early temperaments. He was interviewed on the nationally televised program The Wind at One's Fingertips.
Since 1962 Boe has taught hundreds of organists at Oberlin, including fellow Oberlin faculty member James David Christie
James David Christie
James David Christie is an American organist with an extensive performance career throughout the world and especially in Europe. He is Chair and Professor of Organ at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, College Organist at Wellesley College and the Distinguished Artist in Residence at the College...
. He retired in May 2008 after 46 years of teaching.
Boe served as music director and organist for over 40 years at First Lutheran Church, Lorain, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
.
Performances
Boe rarely performs publicly now and performed less regularly than most concert organists during his time, having preferred teaching. He was signed with WindWerk Artists for many years and gave concerts in many parts of the U.S., as well as Europe.Boe made significant appearances on two CDs: Brombaugh Opus 9, a commercial recording highlighting a new mean-tone organ by Brombaugh, and Organs of Oberlin (Gasparo), a recording of the various styles of organ at the conservatory.
External links
- Biography from the piporg-l mailing list
- Biography from Windwerks (from the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
)