Fiedler, Arthur
Fiedler, Arthur
Fiedler, Arthur, highly popular American conductor; b. Boston, Dec. 17, 1894; d. Brookline, Mass., July 10, 1979. Of a musical family, he studied violin with his father, Emanuel Fiedler, a member of the Boston Sym. Orch. In 1909 he was taken by his father to Berlin, where he studied violin with Willy Hess, and attended a class on chamber music with Dohnanyi; he also had some instruction in conducting with Kleffel and Krasselt. In 1913 he formed the Fiedler Trio with 2 other Fiedlers. In 1915 he returned to America, and joined the 2nd violin section of the Boston Sym. Orch.; later he moved to the viola section; he also doubled on the celesta, when required. In 1924 he organized the Arthur Fiedler Sinfonietta, a professional ensemble of members of the Boston Sym. Orch. In 1929 he started a series of free open-air summer concerts at the Esplanade on the banks of the Charles River in Boston, presenting programs of popular American music intermingled with classical nos. The series became a feature in Boston’s musical life, attracting audiences of many thousands each summer. In 1930 Fiedler was engaged as conductor of the Boston Pops, which he led for nearly half a century. Adroitly combining pieces of popular appeal with classical works and occasional modern selections, he built an eager following, eventually elevating the Boston Pops to the status of a national institution via numerous tours, recordings, radio broadcasts, and television concerts. In 1977 President Gerald Ford bestowed upon him the Medal of Freedom.
Bibliography
R. Moore, F., The Colorful Mr. Pops (Boston, 1968); C. Wilson, A. F, Music for the Millions (N.Y., 1968); J. Holland, Mr. Pops (N.Y., 1972); H. Dickson, A. F. and the Boston Pops (Boston, 1981).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire