CSO principal bassoon David McGill to depart orchestra this summer

Mon May 12, 2014 at 4:41 pm

By Lawrence A. Johnson

David McGill will leave the CSO in August to teach at Northwestern University,
David McGill will leave the CSO in August to teach at Northwestern University. Photo: Todd Rosenberg

David McGill, principal bassoon of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has resigned his position effective this August.

McGill is leaving the CSO after 17 years to teach full-time at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. McGill was appointed principal bassoon by Daniel Barenboim in 1997.

“Teaching has always been a great love of mine, and the rigors of performing have precluded me pursuing this noble profession as much as I would like,” said McGill in a statement released by the CSO. “I have learned so much from Maestro Muti and the great musicians of this incredible orchestra, and thank them all for 17 years of unforgettable music making.”

McGill’s final appearances as a soloist with the CSO will take place June 12-17 in Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto with music director Riccardo Muti conducting.

“In [McGill], the orchestra loses an exceptional artist and I will personally miss not only a musician but also a friend,” said Muti in a statement released by the orchestra. “David’s deep musical experiences will enable him to make an important contribution to the teaching of young musicians, continuing the great tradition that he himself received.  I send my best wishes for his continued success in all his musical activities.”

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, David McGill received his bachelor of music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where his teachers included Sol Schoenbach, John de Lancie and John Minsker. Before coming to Chicago, he served as principal bassoon of the Cleveland Orchestra from 1988. McGill also logged time as principal bassoon of the Toronto Symphony (1985-1988) and the Tulsa Philharmonic (1980-81).

McGill has appeared as soloist with the CSO on over 25 occasions, including at Carnegie Hall in 2005 and in John Williams’ bassoon concerto, The Five Sacred Trees, with the composer conducting. He is the author of Sound in Motion: A Performer’s Guide to Greater Musical Expression, published in 2007 by Indiana University Press. He currently is writing a biography of theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore.

McGill’s final appearances with the CSO will take place at the Ravinia Festival this summer.

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One Response to “CSO principal bassoon David McGill to depart orchestra this summer”

  1. Posted Aug 26, 2016 at 5:13 am by Joel Eigen

    I will be watching and hopefully some listening.

    Joel Eigen — retired amateur bassoonist — played in Chicago Civic at Orchestra Hall, 1957-1960 Joel Eigen — Norristown, PA

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