Sections of the BSO: The Woodwinds
The BSO woodwind players not only modulate the color of the BSO's sound, but many have also impacted the wider field of classical music. In 1915, BSO principal oboist Georges Longy founded the Longy School of Music, among whose notable alumni are composers Elliott Carter and Harold Shapero, as well as several current BSO musicians. In the wake of anti-German hysteria prompted by World War I, the section's personnel turned over with an influx of French-born players. The woodwinds have also featured some of the orchestra's firsts: the first woman to play an instrument other than the harp was a bassoonist and the orchestra's first woman principal player was flautist Doriot Anthony Dwyer.
BSO Woodwind choir, 1925-1926 Season
Standing (left to right): Boaz Piller, F. Bettoney, Raymond Allard, Abdon Laus, Edmund Allegra, Paul Mimart, Augusto Vannini, Emil Arcieri. Seated (left to right): Agustus Battles, Pasquale Amerena, Gaston Daniel Bladet, Georges Laurent, Fernand Gillet, Jean Devergie, H. Stanislaus, and Louis Speyer.
Longy's Legacy
The Longy Club, founded by Georges Longy (principal oboe, 1898-1925) and comprised of BSO members, was active from 1900-1917
Georges Longy founded the Longy School of Music in 1915. Today the school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is associated with Bard College. He also founded a wind chamber ensemble.
Ten-inch acoustical recording of Georges Longy performing Bertain’s “Tout Passe,” ca. 1910
Based in Boston, the Phono-Cut Record company, a subsidiary of Victor Talking Machine, produced the first vertically cut records from 1910 to 1913.
Gift of Mr. And Mrs. Albert G. Hurd in memory of Gordon and Ethel Hurd and Edmund and Torvy Johnson, 1991
The French Invasion: Post World War I
These three BSO members all hailed from France, where they had served in the military before joining the BSO.
Georges Laurent, principal flute, 1918-1952
Photographer unknown
Louis Speyer, English horn, 1918-1964
Photographer unknown
Abdon Laus, principal bassoon (1918-1936) and section (1936-1945)
Photographer unknown
First Woman in the Woodwinds
Doriot Anthony Dwyer, principal flute (1952-1990)
October 7, 1952, Christian Science Monitor article announcing Doriot Anthony’s (later Dwyer) appointment as BSO principal flute
Dwyer was the first woman to achieve a principal position in the BSO, a position she held from 1952 to 1990.
Leonard Bernstein and Dorothy Anthony Dwyer rehearse for the American premiere of Bernstein’s Halil, Nocturne for solo flute, string orchestra, and percussion, that took place at Tanglewood, July 4, 1981
Gift of the Estate of Doriot Anthony Dwyer, 2019
Doriot Anthony Dwyer’s score for Bernstein’s Halil, inscribed to her by the composer, 1981
Gift of the Estate of Doriot Anthony Dwyer, 2019
Doriot Anthony Dwyer’s solo flute part for Bernstein’s Halil, with Dwyer's markings
Gift of the Estate of Doriot Anthony Dwyer, 2019
A Deeper Dive into the Woodwinds
A series of articles by BSO publicist Laning Humphrey gave an overview of the different sections of the woodwinds.
Pictoral Living Coloroto Magazine feature on BSO flutes, February 19, 1967
Pictoral Living Coloroto Magazine feature on BSO oboes and English horn, February 26, 1967
Pictoral Living Coloroto Magazine feature on BSO clarinets and bassoons, March 5, 1967
A Look Today
