Melvin Berman

Melvin Berman (1929–2008) was the solo oboist of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Radio-Canada orchestra in Montreal, as well as a member of the Baroque Trio of Montreal.

He received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Hartt College of the University of Hartford in Hartford, Connecticut where he studied the oboe with Clement Lenom of the Boston Symphony and Harold Gomberg of the New York Philharmonic. Upon graduation, Berman was appointed a member of the faculty where he taught theory, oboe, and chamber music.

Berman held several orchestral posts before joining the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, including solo oboist of the New Orleans Philharmonic, The Ballet Theater of New York, and the Boston Pops Orchestra under Arthur Fiedler. He performed under the baton of most of the world's great conductors of his time including Pierre Monteux, Charles Munch, Josef Krips, Erich Leinsdorf, Thomas Schippers, Georg Solti, and Zubin Mehta, to name a few.

In addition to his orchestra activities, Berman performed extensively as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber music player. He was a composer and orchestrator whose works were performed regularly. Berman was also a member of the faculty of the Quebec Provincial Conservatoire.

References

(source: Baroque Records #2875 Vivaldi: Il Pastor Fido Recorded in Church of St. John the Evangelist, Montreal) In Memoriam: Melvin Berman (1929 – 2008)