Frank Morelli

Frank Morelli, MSM graduate and a student of Stephen Maxym, was the first bassoonist ever to be awarded a doctorate by the Juilliard School. He has more than 150 recordings for major labels to his credit; his recording of the Mozart Bassoon Concerto with Orpheus on the DG label won international critical acclaim. The Orpheus CD Shadow Dances, featuring Mr. Morelli, won a 2001 Grammy award. He has made nine appearances as a soloist in New York’s Carnegie Hall and appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on numerous occasions, including the final state dinner of the Clinton presidency at the White House.

Along with his activities at MSM, he serves on the faculties of the Juilliard School, the Yale School of Music, SUNY Stony Brook and the Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto. He is principal bassoonist of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and recently retired as principal bassoon of the New York City Opera after 27 years.

Recently, he released a new solo recording on MSR Classics, From the Heart, with pianist Gilbert Kalish, which follows his previous solo releases, Bassoon Brasileiro, Baroque Fireworks, and Romance and Caprice. Mr. Morelli has published several transcriptions for both bassoon and woodwind quintet, and compiled the first collection of Stravinsky’s music for the bassoon, entitled Stravinsky: Difficult Passages, published by Boosey & Hawkes. For more information please visit MorelliBassoon.com.