Concert in Remembrance of Robert Bloom

UHart students are invited to a concert in remembrance of American oboist, Robert Bloom (1908-1994). The performance will be on May 6, 2023, at Yale’s Battell Chapel. Robert’s friend and colleague, Maestro Moshe Paranov, co-founded the Hartt School of Music in 1920. He had a dream to make it a world-class School of Music, which is why he called on teachers of the stature of Robert Bloom. Mr. Bloom accepted his invitation to teach and realized his dream was to work with the talented students at Hartt who went on to lead fulfilling lives as performing artists and teachers of the oboe.

When Robert retired from his teaching at the Hartt School of Music in 1975, the celebrated oboist Humbert Lucarelli succeeded him. One of the pupils they both taught is the oboist/English hornist Marilyn Krentzman, who was appointed to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra upon her graduation from the Hartt School of Music.

The performance is free and open to the public. Audience members will be reminded why Robert was called “one of the last of the Golden Era” in classical music. Those whom he taught and mentored for nearly 70 years will be reminded of his devotion to helping musicians fulfill their potential and make their own valuable contributions to American society, needed now more than ever. For more information visit: RobertandSaraLambertBloom.com

New Haven, CT, reminding those who heard Robert perform why he was called “one of the last of the Golden Era” in classical music. And reminding those whom he taught and mentored for nearly 70 of the last 96 years of his devotion to helping them to fulfill their potential and to make their own valuable contributions to American society, is needed now more than ever.

When we tell Robert’s story, we tell the story of the musicians of that Golden Era, models that will help the current generation to build their lives in music vertically, standing on the shoulders of their predecessors as Robert would be the first to say that he did during his long and productive life in music.

“Not what to play or how to play but why to play” was his north star.

Robert’s friend and colleague, Maestro Moshe Paranov, co-founded the Hartt School of Music in 1920. He had a dream to make it a world-class School of Music and that is why he called on teachers of the stature of Robert Bloom, who in turn, did respond and accepted his invitation to teach there in order to help him realize that dream and in the meantime, work with the talented students at Hartt who went on to lead fulfilling lives as performing artists and teachers of the oboe.

Go to https://www.courant.com/1994/10/08/moshe-paranov-dies-filled-city-with-music/

to learn how highly the city of Hartford regarded Maestro Paranov.

When Robert retired from his teaching at the Hartt School of Music in 1975, the celebrated oboist Humbert Lucarelli succeeded him; he is now tired from that position. One of the pupils they both taught is the oboist/English hornist Marilyn Krentzman, who was appointed to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra upon her graduation from the Hartt School of Music. I have provided their email addresses since both of these professional oboists could give you some wonderful anecdotes to quote, should you decide to honor the history of the Hartt School of Music in your weekly newsletter with an essay about classical music and its roots at the University of Hartford.

Yes, it definitely is highly unusual to cover people and events that happened probably before your parents were born! But here I am encouraging you to balance your coverage of lighter entertainment with a historic essay–maybe by a guest author if it’s not in your wheelhouse–and to encourage your readers to attend the Concert in Remembrance of Robert Bloom on Saturday, May 6th at Noon at Yale’s Battell Chapel (corner of Elm and College Streets in New Haven). It is free and open to the public.

I can imagine liberal arts students reaping many interesting topics for their term papers and dissertations from that experience as well as from the information provided in the Press Release and especially from the Press Packet that is attached. One of my former students, Janna Leigh Ryon, earned her DMA at the University of Maryland in 2014; the title of her dissertation was “The Legacy of Oboist and Master Teacher, Robert Bloom.”

And the whole world will be better knowing what these classical music icons of the 20th century thought about “not just what to play and how to play, but why to play.” Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need additional information or clarification. Sincerely, Sara Lambert Bloom (Mrs. Robert Bloom)

BMus, Pi Kappa Lambda, Oberlin Conservatory 1966

MMus, Yale School of Music 1968

Listed as a notable American oboist in the Marquis Who’s Who, founded 1898

Robert Bloom, Professor of Oboe, Hartt School of Music (1967-1975); Professor of Oboe, Yale School of Music (1957-1976); Juilliard School of Music (1973-1981), among teaching affiliations.

PS Robert’s performing affiliations are on p. 11 of the Press Packet. One caveat: Hit “Enable Editing” in the Press Packet to be able to open the PDF on p. 11 to see that list of performing affiliations.