Susan Nigro
Encyclopedia
Susan L. Nigro is an American contrabassoon
ist. Unlike most players of the instrument, Nigro's career is primarily as a solo recitalist and recording artist rather than an orchestra
l player.
, she graduated from Northwestern University
, with a bachelor's and master's degree, and from Roosevelt University
.
and Daniel Dorff
concertos for contrabassoon, as well as the Stamitz
and Mozart
concertos originally written for the bassoon. Nigro has premiered over 30 works since 1988, most of which were written for her. She has given more premieres than any other contrabassoonist.
She has appeared as a soloist with such groups as the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Rome Festival Orchestra, and the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg
, as well as at multiple conferences of the International Double Reed Society
, and performed as a recitalist and given masterclasses at dozens of universities and music festivals.
In addition to her recording and recital careers, Nigro has been the full-time substitute for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
during the 2005-2006 season and again during the seasons 2008-2010. She has also held regular or substitute positions with over 20 other ensembles.
She won a Pro Musicis International Career Development Grant,
and Illinois Arts Council grant.
Contrabassoon
The contrabassoon, also known as the double bassoon or double-bassoon, is a larger version of the bassoon, sounding an octave lower...
ist. Unlike most players of the instrument, Nigro's career is primarily as a solo recitalist and recording artist rather than an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
l player.
Life
Nigro, a native of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, she graduated from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, with a bachelor's and master's degree, and from Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University is a coeducational, private university with campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. Founded in 1945, the university is named in honor of both former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university's curriculum is based on...
.
Career
She includes in her repertoire such works as the Gunther SchullerGunther Schuller
Gunther Schuller is an American composer, conductor, horn player, author, historian, and jazz musician.- Biography and works :...
and Daniel Dorff
Daniel Dorff
Daniel Dorff is an American composer, and is regarded as one of the most influential of his generation...
concertos for contrabassoon, as well as the Stamitz
Carl Stamitz
Karl Philipp Stamitz , who later changed his given name to Carl, was a German composer of partial Czech ancestry , and a violin, viola and viola d'amore virtuoso...
and Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
concertos originally written for the bassoon. Nigro has premiered over 30 works since 1988, most of which were written for her. She has given more premieres than any other contrabassoonist.
She has appeared as a soloist with such groups as the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Rome Festival Orchestra, and the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg
Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg
The Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra is the symphony orchestra of the town and state of Salzburg, Austria. It was founded in 1841 and acquired its current name in 1908. It is a major participant at the Salzburg Festival....
, as well as at multiple conferences of the International Double Reed Society
International Double Reed Society
The International Double Reed Society is a Finksburg, Maryland-based organization that promotes the interests of double reed players, instrument manufacturers and enthusiasts....
, and performed as a recitalist and given masterclasses at dozens of universities and music festivals.
In addition to her recording and recital careers, Nigro has been the full-time substitute for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
during the 2005-2006 season and again during the seasons 2008-2010. She has also held regular or substitute positions with over 20 other ensembles.
She won a Pro Musicis International Career Development Grant,
and Illinois Arts Council grant.
Recordings
- The Big Bassoon
- Little Tunes for the Big Bassoon
- The 2 Contras, with Burl Lane
- The Bass Nightingale, GM 2069
- New Tunes for the Big Bassoon
- Bellissima: Italian Tunes for the Big Bassoon
- Original Tunes for the Big Bassoon
External links
- Susan Nigro's website
- Susan Nigro interview by Bruce Duffie