Theodore Lettvin
Encyclopedia
Theodore Lettvin was an American concert pianist and conductor.
Lettvin's first concert was at the age of 5 at the Lyon & Healy in Chicago
. At age 11 he appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
under conductor Frederik Stock. As a teenager, he was accepted as a scholarship student of Rudolf Serkin
and Mieczslaw Horszowski at the Curtis Institute of Music
in Philadelphia. In his twenties, he won the Michaels Memorial Award, First Prize in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium International Piano Competition. He made his European debut touring France with violinist Sidney Harth
in 1951-1952 in a concert series organized by the National Music League
and the Jeunesses Musicales International.
Honored by audiences, critics, colleagues and students throughout a musical career spanning more than sixty five years, Theodore Lettvin enthralled, engaged and entertained as he performed and taught from the piano.
Some of the orchestras with which Lettvin performed include the New York Philharmonic
, and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Atlanta, Vienna, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo. He also participated in the summer festivals at Tanglewood, Ravina, Saratoga, Sarasota, Salzburg and Interlochen.
Prior to his appointment as Professor Emeritus by Rutgers University
and the University of Michigan
, Lettvin was a Distinguished Professor in their music departments where he directed their Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma programs. Before joining these universities, Mr. Lettvin was on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, the Cleveland Music School Settlement, and Artist in Residence at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Some of the foremost teachers and performers have been his students.
After his death in August 2003, many of his students and family have continued his legacy. There is a concert series in Bradford, New Hampshire
, named for him, as a testament to his impact on the community and on the music world.
Lettvin's first concert was at the age of 5 at the Lyon & Healy in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. At age 11 he appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
under conductor Frederik Stock. As a teenager, he was accepted as a scholarship student of Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin , was a Bohemian-born pianist.-Life and early career:Serkin was born in Eger, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire to a Russian-Jewish family....
and Mieczslaw Horszowski at the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
in Philadelphia. In his twenties, he won the Michaels Memorial Award, First Prize in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium International Piano Competition. He made his European debut touring France with violinist Sidney Harth
Sidney Harth
Sidney Harth was an American violinist and conductor.In 1957 Harth became the first American to receive the Laureate Prize in the Wieniawski Violin Competition held in Poland...
in 1951-1952 in a concert series organized by the National Music League
National Music League
The National Music League was an American arts organization based in New York City that was active during the 1920s through the 1960s. Founded as a non-profit institution in June 1925, the organization was dedicated to supporting and furthering the careers of talented young American classical...
and the Jeunesses Musicales International.
Honored by audiences, critics, colleagues and students throughout a musical career spanning more than sixty five years, Theodore Lettvin enthralled, engaged and entertained as he performed and taught from the piano.
Some of the orchestras with which Lettvin performed include the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
, and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Atlanta, Vienna, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo. He also participated in the summer festivals at Tanglewood, Ravina, Saratoga, Sarasota, Salzburg and Interlochen.
Prior to his appointment as Professor Emeritus by Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
and the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, Lettvin was a Distinguished Professor in their music departments where he directed their Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma programs. Before joining these universities, Mr. Lettvin was on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, the Cleveland Music School Settlement, and Artist in Residence at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Some of the foremost teachers and performers have been his students.
After his death in August 2003, many of his students and family have continued his legacy. There is a concert series in Bradford, New Hampshire
Bradford, New Hampshire
Bradford is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,650 at the 2010 census. The main village of the town, where 356 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Bradford census-designated place , and is located west of the junction of New Hampshire...
, named for him, as a testament to his impact on the community and on the music world.
Discography
From IPAM (International Piano Archive at University of Maryland).| Index to performances by Theodore Lettvin on compact disk | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer | Work | Performance Date | CD number |
| BACH | English Suite No. 3 | March 28, 1962 | 1 |
| BACH | English Suite No. 3 excerpt | (unspecified date) | 4 |
| BACH-BUSONI | Rejoice, Beloved Christians | April 16, 1975 | 13A |
| BACH-BUSONI | Rejoice, Beloved Christians | July 1977 | 14 |
| BARTOK | Scherzo for Piano & Orchestra | December 20, 1964 | 6 |
| BARTOK | Two Romanian Dances | March 28, 1962 | 1A |
| BEETHOVEN | Cello Sonata No. 1 (Olefsky) | unspecified | 11 |
| BEETHOVEN | Cello Sonata No. 3 (Olefsky) | unspecified | 11 |
| BEETHOVEN | Cello Sonata No. 4 (Olefsky) | unspecified | 11 |
| BEETHOVEN | Cello Sonata No. 5 (Olefsky) | unspecified | 12 |
| BEETHOVEN | Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 | July 9, 1965 | 4 |
| BEETHOVEN | Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 | unspecified | 6 |
| BEETHOVEN | Concerto No. 3, Op. 37 | August 4, 1967 | 15 |
| BEETHOVEN | Rondo, Op. 51 No. 1 | April 16, 1975 | 13 |
| BEETHOVEN | Rondo, Op. 51 No. 1 | unspecified | 19 |
| BEETHOVEN | Rondo a capriccio, Op. 129 | unspecified | 19 |
| BEETHOVEN | Sonata No. 3, Op. 2 No. 3 | April 16, 1975 | 13 |
| BEETHOVEN | Sonata, Op. 2 No. 3 (1st mvt) | April 16, 1975 | 13A |
| BEETHOVEN | Sonata No. 3, Op. 2 No. 3 | July 1977 | 8 |
| BEETHOVEN | Sonata No. 26, Op. 81a | March 28, 1962 | 1 |
| BEETHOVEN | Sonata No. 26, Op. 81a | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| BEETHOVEN | Triple Concerto | unspecified | 18 |
| BEETHOVEN | Variations on "God Save the King" excerpt | (unspecified) | 4 |
| BEETHOVEN | Variations on "Rule Brittania" | May 17, 1967 | 2 |
| BEETHOVEN | Variations for Cello and Piano (Olevsky): | ||
| 7 Variations from "The Magic Flute" | unspecified | 12 | |
| 12 Variations from "The Magic Flute" | unspecified | 12 | |
| 6 Variations from "Judas Maccabeas" | unspecified | 12 | |
| BRAHMS | Concerto No. 2, Op. 83 | June 20, 1980 | 7 |
| BRAHMS | Rhapsody, Op. 79 No. 2 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| BRAHMS | Rhapsody, Op. 119 No. 4 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| BRAHMS | Handel Variations, Op. 24 | December 1, 1976 | 9A |
| CHOPIN | Ballades 1, 2, 3 | July 1977 | 8A |
| CHOPIN | Ballade No. 1, Op. 23 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| CHOPIN | Ballade No. 1, Op. 23 | excerpt (unspecified) | 4 |
| CHOPIN | Ballade No. 4, Op. 52 | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| CHOPIN | Ballade No. 4, Op. 52 | July 1977 | 14 |
| CHOPIN | Berceuse excerpt | (unspecified) | 4 |
| CHOPIN | Fantasy, Op. 49 | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| CHOPIN | Fantasy-Impromptu, Op. 66 | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| CHOPIN | Fantasy-Impromptu, Op. 66 | July 1977 | 8A |
| CHOPIN | Impromptu No. 1, Op. 29 | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| CHOPIN | Impromptu No. 1, Op. 29 | July 1977 | 8 |
| CHOPIN | Impromptu No. 2, Op. 36 | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| CHOPIN | Impromptu No. 2, Op. 36 | July 1977 | 8 |
| CHOPIN | Impromptu No. 3, Op. 51 | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| CHOPIN | Impromptu No. 3, Op. 51 | July 1977 | 8A |
| CHOPIN | Nocturne, Op. 27 No. 2 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| CHOPIN | Prelude No. 24 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| CHOPIN | Prelude No. 24 | December 1, 1976 | 9A |
| CHOPIN | Prelude No. 24 excerpt | (unspecified) | 4 |
| GERSHWIN | Concerto in F | unspecified | 16 |
| HANDEL | Keyboard Suite in B-flat | December 1, 1976 | 9A |
| HAYDN | Andante & Variations in F Minor | May 17, 1967 | 2A |
| HAYDN | Andante & Variations in F Minor | December 1, 1976 | 9 |
| HAYDN | Concerto in G | May 3, 1970 | 5 |
| HUMMEL | Concerto, Op. 89 | unspecified | 18 |
| Interview with Martin Perlich Martin Perlich Martin Perlich, born 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio is an American broadcaster and writer. He attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio and Columbia University where he studied music history with composer Douglas Moore.... (WCLV) |
unspecified | 16 | |
| LISZT | Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 | unspecified | 14 |
| LITOLFF | Scherzo | unspecified | 18 |
| MENDELSSOHN | Concerto No. 1 | unspecified | 16 |
| MENDELSSOHN | Scherzo a capriccio | excerpt (unspecified) | 4 |
| MENDELSSOHN-LISZT | Wedding March | unspecified | 17 |
| MOZART | Concerto No. 24, K. 491 | May 3, 1970 | 5 |
| MOZART | Fantasy, K. 397 | March 28, 1962 | 1 |
| MOZART | Fantasy, K. 397 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| MOZART | Rondo, K. 485 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| PROKOFIEV | Sonata No. 3, Op. 28 | April 16, 1975 | 13 |
| PROKOFIEV | Toccata, Op. 11 | March 28, 1962 | 1A |
| PROKOFIEV | Toccata, Op. 11 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| PROKOFIEV | Toccata, Op. 11 | April 16, 1975 | 13 |
| RACHMANINOFF | Paganini Rhapsody | unspecified | 18 |
| SAINT-SAENS | Wedding Cake, Op. 76 | unspecified | 17 |
| SCHUBERT | Four Impromptus, Op. 142 | March 28, 1962 | 1A |
| SCHUBERT | Four Impromptus, Op. 142 | April 16, 1975 | 13A |
| SCHUBERT | Four Impromptus, Op. 142 | December 1, 1976 | 9 |
| SCHUBERT | Four Impromptus, Op. 142 | July 1977 | 8 |
| SCHUBERT | Impromptus Op. 142, Nos. 3 & 4 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| SCHUBERT | Moment Musical No. 3 | May 13, 1966 | 3 |
| SCHUBERT | Moment Musical No. 3 | April 16, 1975 | 13A |
| SCHUBERT | Sonata, Op.143 | unspecified | 14 |
| SCHUMANN | Sonata, Op. 22 | May 17, 1967 | 2 |
| SOLER | Two Sonatas in C Minor | unspecified | 17 |
| TCHAIKOVSKY | Concerto No. 1 | 1969 | 15 |
| TCHAIKOVSKY | Concerto No. 1 excerpt | (unspecified) | 4 |
| TCHAIKOVSKY | Concerto No. 1 | unspecified | 10 |
| WHITTAKER | Piano Sonata | unspecified | 14 |
| YARDUMIAN | Chromatic Sonata | May 17, 1967 | 2 |
Further reading
- Bullamore, Tim, "Theodore Lettvin: Pianist with an interactive approach to performance", obituary in The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, 23 September 2003 - Sherlock, Barbara, "Theodore Lettvin, 76 : Pianist made his debut with CSO at 12", Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, August 26, 2003