John de Lancie (oboist)
Encyclopedia
For his son, the actor, please see John de Lancie
John de Lancie (b. July 26, 1921, Berkeley, California
– d. May 17, 2002) was an American
musician
who served as the principal oboist of the Philadelphia Orchestra
for many years.
. De Lancie met Richard Strauss
during his tour of duty as a soldier in Europe at the end of World War II
. In April 1945, at the war's end, Strauss was apprehended by American soldiers at his Garmisch estate. As he descended the staircase he announced to Lieutenant Milton Weiss of the U.S. Army, "I am Richard Strauss, the composer of Rosenkavalier and Salome." Lt. Weiss, who, as it happened, was also a musician, nodded in recognition. An 'Off Limits' sign was subsequently placed on the lawn to protect Strauss.
De Lancie was among those in the unit. He knew Strauss's orchestral writing for oboe thoroughly, and asked the composer if he had ever considered writing an oboe concerto. The composer answered simply "No," and the topic was dropped. Six months later de Lancie was astonished to see that Strauss was indeed publishing an Oboe Concerto
. Strauss saw to it that the rights to the U.S. premiere were assigned to de Lancie. But de Lancie had switched to the Philadelphia Orchestra
and was only a junior member there. When orchestral protocol made it impossible for him to premiere the piece since Philadelphia's principal oboist had seniority, de Lancie gave the rights to perform the premiere to a young oboist friend at the CBS Symphony in New York, Mitch Miller
, who later became famous as a music producer and host of a sing-along TV show.
De Lancie also commissioned a piece for oboe and orchestra, L'horloge de flore (The Flower Clock), by the composer Jean Françaix
.
De Lancie also taught at Curtis Institute of Music
, and served as its director from 1977 to 1985. At his death, de Lancie was one of the few remaining students of the legendary Marcel Tabuteau
of Curtis. De Lancie's playing, marked by an extraordinary intensity that replaced the traditional vibrato of the European school, was marked by a dramatic character and an expressive use of color, as he always aimed for what he called the "bottom" of the sound. His quest for perfection was unequaled among his peers during the reign of Eugene Ormandy
at the helm of the Philadelphia Orchestra. De Lancie's own student, Richard Woodhams
, eventually succeeded him as principal oboe in the Philadelphia Orchestra. His former student of the same time, Peter Bloom, aided by de Lancie, published in detail the history of the Strauss Oboe Concerto and de Lancie's role in its creation (The Pendragon Review, 2001).
in 2002, aged 80. His son is the actor John de Lancie
.
John de Lancie
John de Lancie is an American actor. He has been active in screen and television roles since 1977, though he is best known for his recurring role as Q on the various Star Trek series and as Frank Simmons in Stargate SG-1....
John de Lancie (b. July 26, 1921, Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
– d. May 17, 2002) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
who served as the principal oboist 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...
for many years.
Career
Before he enlisted in WWII, John de Lancie was principal oboist of the Pittsburgh Symphony under Fritz ReinerFritz Reiner
Frederick Martin “Fritz” Reiner was a prominent conductor of opera and symphonic music in the twentieth century.-Biography:...
. De Lancie met Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
during his tour of duty as a soldier in Europe at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In April 1945, at the war's end, Strauss was apprehended by American soldiers at his Garmisch estate. As he descended the staircase he announced to Lieutenant Milton Weiss of the U.S. Army, "I am Richard Strauss, the composer of Rosenkavalier and Salome." Lt. Weiss, who, as it happened, was also a musician, nodded in recognition. An 'Off Limits' sign was subsequently placed on the lawn to protect Strauss.
De Lancie was among those in the unit. He knew Strauss's orchestral writing for oboe thoroughly, and asked the composer if he had ever considered writing an oboe concerto. The composer answered simply "No," and the topic was dropped. Six months later de Lancie was astonished to see that Strauss was indeed publishing an Oboe Concerto
Oboe Concerto (Richard Strauss)
The Concerto in D major for Oboe and Small Orchestra, AV 144, TrV 292, was written by Richard Strauss in 1945. It was one of the last works he composed near the end of his life, during what is often described by biographers, journalists and music critics as his "Indian summer."-Instrumentation and...
. Strauss saw to it that the rights to the U.S. premiere were assigned to de Lancie. But de Lancie had switched to 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...
and was only a junior member there. When orchestral protocol made it impossible for him to premiere the piece since Philadelphia's principal oboist had seniority, de Lancie gave the rights to perform the premiere to a young oboist friend at the CBS Symphony in New York, Mitch Miller
Mitch Miller
Mitchell William "Mitch" Miller was an American musician, singer, conductor, record producer, A&R man and record company executive...
, who later became famous as a music producer and host of a sing-along TV show.
De Lancie also commissioned a piece for oboe and orchestra, L'horloge de flore (The Flower Clock), by the composer Jean Françaix
Jean Françaix
Jean René Désiré Françaix was a French neoclassical composer, pianist, and orchestrator, known for his prolific output and vibrant style.-Life:...
.
De Lancie also taught at Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
, and served as its director from 1977 to 1985. At his death, de Lancie was one of the few remaining students of the legendary Marcel Tabuteau
Marcel Tabuteau
Marcel Tabuteau was a French oboist who is generally considered the founder of the American school of oboe playing.-Life:...
of Curtis. De Lancie's playing, marked by an extraordinary intensity that replaced the traditional vibrato of the European school, was marked by a dramatic character and an expressive use of color, as he always aimed for what he called the "bottom" of the sound. His quest for perfection was unequaled among his peers during the reign of Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born conductor and violinist.-Early life:Born Jenő Blau in Budapest, Hungary, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music at the age of five...
at the helm of the Philadelphia Orchestra. De Lancie's own student, Richard Woodhams
Richard Woodhams
Richard Woodhams is an American oboist and recording artist. He is currently Principal Oboe of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Professor of Oboe at the Curtis Institute of Music....
, eventually succeeded him as principal oboe in the Philadelphia Orchestra. His former student of the same time, Peter Bloom, aided by de Lancie, published in detail the history of the Strauss Oboe Concerto and de Lancie's role in its creation (The Pendragon Review, 2001).
Death
He died in Walnut Creek, CaliforniaWalnut Creek, California
Walnut Creek is an incorporated city located east of the city of Oakland. It lies in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. While not as large as neighboring Concord, Walnut Creek serves as the business and entertainment hub for the neighboring cities within central Contra Costa...
in 2002, aged 80. His son is the actor John de Lancie
John de Lancie
John de Lancie is an American actor. He has been active in screen and television roles since 1977, though he is best known for his recurring role as Q on the various Star Trek series and as Frank Simmons in Stargate SG-1....
.