The Enduring Masters series at Ithaca College will continue on Saturday, April 2, with a performance by New York Philharmonic Principal Clarinetist, Stanley Drucker. Free and open to the public, the concert will start at 8:15 p.m. in the Ford Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music.
Mr. Drucker began clarinet studies at age ten with Leon Russianoff, his principal teacher, and later attended the High School of Music and Art and The Curtis Institute of Music. He was appointed Principal Clarinetist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at age 16, of the Adolf Busch Chamber Players at age 17, and of the Buffalo Philharmonic at age 18.
At the conclusion of the 2008-2009 Season, Drucker celebrated 60 years as a member of the Orchestra. In honor of this milestone anniversary, he became an honorary member of the Philharmonic Society of New York, the first orchestral musician so honored. The Philharmonic estimates that he has performed in 10,200 concerts, which is approximately 70% of the total number of their concerts since 1842. He has been Principal Clarinetist for a record 48 years, making close to 200 appearances as soloist and chamber musician with the orchestra. He played under 9 Music Directors, among them Bruno Walter, Dmitri Mitropolous, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez and Zubin Mehta. He has performed in 60 countries on tour. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “Longest Career as a Clarinetist.”
Mr. Drucker maintains an active solo career, appearing with ensembles throughout the world. He has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards in the category of Best Instrumental Soloist/Classical with Orchestra: In 1992 for his recording of the Copland Concerto with the Philharmonic and Leonard Bernstein, and in 1982 for John Corigliano’s Concerto with the Philharmonic and Zubin Mehta. In recognition of his highly respected and widely acknowledged musical excellence and dedication, he was named Musical America’s 1998 Instrumentalist of the Year.
The Enduring Masters Series is a partnership of the Ithaca College School of Music and the Gerontology Institute’s Linden Center for Creativity and Aging, a part of the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies. The series is funded by the New York State Music Fund established by the New York Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the School of Music at 607-274-3717 or ekibelsbeck@ithaca.edu as much in advance of the event as possible.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20110323175737622