Fenwick Smith
Flutist
Fenwick Smith is one of the great flutists of his generation, a consummate artist and a longtime shining star in Boston, where he has made immeasurable contributions to the community.
There seems to be no element of a musical life which Fenwick has not embraced. He performed for years with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as many local chamber groups. He serves on the faculty at the New England Conservatory and has taught masterclasses around the world. He plays a flute that he made with his own hands during his years of working with Powell Flutes of Boston. And his founding of The Sonic Temple in Roslindale has made Boston the proud home of a world-class recording studio for classical artists.
Fenwick is a leader among his fellow gay musicians. In honor of Pride 1987, he organized the first classical concert in Boston specifically devoted to celebrating GLBT visibility, featuring works of gay composers and performances by himself and his fellow gay musicians. Bay Windows praised his “brilliant programming,” while the Boston Globe called the concert “an illumination of personal truth and communal solidarity.”
Since 1977, Fenwick Smith’s September flute recitals have heralded the start of each Boston musical season. Because he has vowed never to repeat repertoire at his recitals, they have featured numerous premieres, as well as performances of little-known works, making them some of the most anticipated musical events in the city each year. Among the premieres at his recitals have been several by Daniel Pinkham, including the piece we are about to hear, the Elegy for Alto Flute, which was dedicated to his friend Fenwick Smith in 1995. Fenwick performed the piece once again at Daniel Pinkham’s memorial service.
In honor of his commitment to new and underperformed music, his leadership in our community, and his inspiring passion for the art that brings us together today, Coro Allegro is thrilled to present the third annual Daniel Pinkham Award to Fenwick Smith.
There seems to be no element of a musical life which Fenwick has not embraced. He performed for years with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as many local chamber groups. He serves on the faculty at the New England Conservatory and has taught masterclasses around the world. He plays a flute that he made with his own hands during his years of working with Powell Flutes of Boston. And his founding of The Sonic Temple in Roslindale has made Boston the proud home of a world-class recording studio for classical artists.
Fenwick is a leader among his fellow gay musicians. In honor of Pride 1987, he organized the first classical concert in Boston specifically devoted to celebrating GLBT visibility, featuring works of gay composers and performances by himself and his fellow gay musicians. Bay Windows praised his “brilliant programming,” while the Boston Globe called the concert “an illumination of personal truth and communal solidarity.”
Since 1977, Fenwick Smith’s September flute recitals have heralded the start of each Boston musical season. Because he has vowed never to repeat repertoire at his recitals, they have featured numerous premieres, as well as performances of little-known works, making them some of the most anticipated musical events in the city each year. Among the premieres at his recitals have been several by Daniel Pinkham, including the piece we are about to hear, the Elegy for Alto Flute, which was dedicated to his friend Fenwick Smith in 1995. Fenwick performed the piece once again at Daniel Pinkham’s memorial service.
In honor of his commitment to new and underperformed music, his leadership in our community, and his inspiring passion for the art that brings us together today, Coro Allegro is thrilled to present the third annual Daniel Pinkham Award to Fenwick Smith.
