Joseph Robinson
Announcement of Retirement

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Press release announcing Mr. Robinson's retirement as Principal Oboe of the New York Philharmonic... 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2005

ROBINSON LEAVING N. Y. PHILHARMONIC

In a letter to Board Chairman Paul Guenther today Joseph Robinson announced his resignation as Principal Oboe of the New York Philharmonic, effective at the end of this current 2004-2005 season. His departure leaves an unprecedented number of first oboe positions currently unfilled in major American orchestras—in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and now the New York Philharmonic.

The second principal player hired in 1977 by Music Director Designate Zubin Mehta (trumpeter Philip Smith was the first), Robinson succeeded the legendary Harold Gomberg despite never attending conservatory. For twenty-seven seasons he has been one of the most admired musicians of the New York Philharmonic, appearing a record thirteen times as soloist with the orchestra during the 1986-1987 season. He helped commission, performed and recorded the George Rochberg Oboe Concerto in 1984. His invitation to Make-A-Wish oboist Johanna Johnson in December 1999 attracted media attention around the world.

Citing the attraction of unspecified “challenges and opportunities,” Robinson, age 64, leaves the Philharmonic at a high point in its illustrious history, when the orchestra and its Music Director Lorin Maazel are being universally acclaimed.

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