ABSTRACT

The New York Woodwind Quintet, one of America's foremost chamber music

ensembles, has been in existence since 1947. It is responsible for increasing the repertoire

and prominence of woodwind quintets throughout the United States and the world

including many premieres and several commissions of new works for quintet. In addition,

it revived the older repertory for the medium. The Quintet is one of the first American

wind chamber groups to enjoy a worldwide reputation.

This history shows how the New York Woodwind Quintet has greatly influenced

the musical repertoire and popularity of woodwind quintets as a viable chamber ensemble.

Oral histories were conducted with former and current quintet members. In addition,

members' personal programs and clipping files were used for further information on

repertoire and premiere dates. Other research materials were available through the Samuel

Baron Collection at the Library of Congress, and clipping and program files at the New

York Public Library. The discography and filmography were researched using OCLC,

RILN abstracts and the Baron Collection. The Library of Congress concert listings were

found through the Library of Congress Catalog. Member biographies were found through

members themselves, university web sites, orchestra archivists, or journal articles.

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 The history of the New York Woodwind Quintet includes many performances at

the Library of Congress, and world tours to South America, Europe, the Far East, and the

Soviet Union. The history also includes numerous tours around the United States,

children's concerts for Young Audiences, Inc.; collaborations with many well-known

composers and numerous recordings; residencies at various universities and colleges,

including Summer Evenings of Music at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, a

continuing summer residency at Yale University's Norfolk Festival and a current residency

at the Juilliard School.

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