Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler was a notable conductor and music director best known for his long tenure with the Boston Pops Orchestra, which he led from 1930 until his death in 1979. Born to Austrian immigrant parents, Fiedler followed in his father's footsteps as a violinist after studying at the Royal Academy of Music in Berlin. His conducting career began in earnest in 1921, and he gained prominence for his innovative programming that blended classical and popular music, appealing to a broad audience. Fiedler's establishment of the Boston Sinfonietta and the outdoor Esplanade concerts further demonstrated his commitment to making music accessible to the public.
Under Fiedler's direction, the Boston Pops became an internationally recognized ensemble, influencing the format of pops orchestras worldwide. He is credited with popularizing light classical pieces and compositions that have since become staples, such as Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" and the tango "Jalousie." Fiedler's efforts not only drew record attendance at concerts, especially during Fourth of July celebrations, but also helped launch television specials like *Evening at Pops*, which showcased popular guest artists. His legacy is marked by his passion for music and community engagement, making classical music enjoyable for millions.
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Subject Terms
Arthur Fiedler
Conductor
- Born: December 17, 1894
- Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts
- Died: July 10, 1979
- Place of death: Brookline, Massachusetts
American classical conductor
Known as “Mr. Pops,” Fiedler is distinguished for bringing classical and light classical music to the general public. He accomplished this as the conductor of the Boston Pops orchestra for nearly fifty years, founder of the open-air Esplanade concerts in Boston, and performer on recordings and television programs.
Member of Boston Sinfonietta
The Life
Arthur Fiedler (FEED-lur) was born to Emanuel and Johanna Fiedler, Austrian immigrants. Emanuel was a violinist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), and Fiedler followed in his father’s footsteps. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music in Berlin, Fiedler became a second violinist with the BSO in 1915.
Fiedler also had an interest in conducting. He started conducting on a regular basis in 1921, and in 1924 he formed his own group, which he called the Boston Sinfonietta. Its success led to his founding of the outdoor Esplanade concerts, free concerts held next to the Charles River, that have remained popular for decades. In 1930 Fiedler became conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra (called simply the Pops), a position that he held until his death in 1979. During his tenure, the Pops became internationally famous, and his approach became the model for pops orchestras around the globe. He also conducted the San Francisco Pops from 1951 to 1978.
Considered to be quite the ladies’ man, Fiedler did not get married until the age of forty-six, marrying Ellen Bottomley, who was twenty years younger. Fiedler did not appear to participate much in family life, and he was often distant with his closest friends. However, he could be quite demonstrative, and his effusive character on the podium helped make him a well-known figure in the United States. Fiedler was passionate about fires and firefighting, and he often conducted to raise money for charities. Fiedler, in failing health for several years, died at the age of eighty-four.
The Music
As well as conductor, Fiedler was the music director for the Boston Pops Orchestra, meaning that he chose the program for each concert. In contrast to his predecessor, Alfredo Casella, Fiedler selected music he believed would be popular with the general public. This included classical works, such as Maurice Ravel’s Boléro (1928); light classical fare, such as Johann Strauss’s waltzes; and arrangements of musical-theater and popular tunes, such as selections from Oklahoma! (1943) by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
“The Stars and Stripes Forever.”“The Stars and Stripes Forever,” written by John Philip Sousa in 1897, has been a favorite for the Pops since the beginning of Fiedler’s reign. Fiedler usually used the work to close a concert, although he would occasionally open the concert with it or present it as an encore. It may be seen as exemplifying the patriotic flavor that the Boston Pops holds in the public eye. It also acts as a showcase for the flutes and the brass section: The work opens with a virtuosic melody on piccolo accompanied by the entire flute section; the second part allows the brass to shine, with the main melody in the trumpets and a countermelody in the trombones. In a concert performance, the featured groups usually stand, adding to the enthusiastic atmosphere and leading to a rousing finale.
Sleigh Ride.Fiedler helped Leroy Anderson come into prominence as an arranger and composer of light classical music. After Anderson arranged some Harvard songs for a Pops concert, Fiedler encouraged him to arrange and compose other works for the Pops. One of these works was “Sleigh Ride” (1948). Its sprightly melody and its clever sound effects, used to imitate sounds heard on a sleigh ride (such as the trumpet imitating a horse neigh), contribute to its popularity not only with Boston Pops audiences but also with audiences around the world. In addition, it exemplifies the types of works that appeared on holiday Pops concert programs.
“Jalousie.”“Jalousie” (1925), by Danish composer Jacob Gade, is one of the Boston Pops’ greatest hits, among the most popular orchestral recordings of all time. According to Robin Moore, Fiedler discovered the sheet music in a music store in 1935, found it interesting, arranged it for orchestra, and started performing it that year. It seemed to be popular with audiences, so Fiedler convinced RCA to record it. The recording became the first orchestral recording to sell more than a million copies. The work is a lush, romantic tango. It features a solo violin at the beginning, and its tango rhythms and use of tambourine give it an exotic flavor.
Musical Legacy
Through his concerts around the globe, his television specials, and his recordings, Fiedler brought classical music to millions of people who might not otherwise have heard it. Under his direction, the Boston Pops Orchestra became the standard for pops orchestras, and he conducted it for fifty years. Fiedler started the extremely popular outdoor Esplanade concerts, which became a model for other outdoor concerts, particularly Fourth of July celebrations. In fact, Fiedler and the Pops set a record for concert attendance at the July 4, 1976, Esplanade concert: approximately four hundred thousand people attended. The television show Evening at Pops started with Fiedler, and it combined the Boston Pops with popular guest artists such as Roberta Flack. Fiedler helped to launch the careers of composers and arrangers, such as Anderson and Richard Hayman.
Principal Recordings
albums:Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, 1956; Pops Christmas Party, 1959; Christmas Festival, 1970; Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Plays the Beatles, 1971; Arthur Fiedler with the Boston Pops: Fiedler’s Favorite Overtures, 1971; Fiedler’s Favorite Marches, 1971; Opera’s Greatest Hits: Arthur Fiedler Conducts Boston Pops, 1971; I Got Rhythm: Fiedler Conducts Gershwin, 1979; Saturday Night Fiedler, 1979.
Bibliography
Dickson, Harry Ellis. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops: An Irreverent Memoir. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981. Written by the assistant conductor of the Boston Pops, this offers an objective look at Fiedler. Includes illustrations.
Fiedler, Johanna. Arthur Fiedler: Papa, the Pops, and Me. New York: Doubleday, 1994. Fiedler’s daughter’s account takes a sometimes dark view of her father’s life. Includes notes and selected discography.
Holland, James. Mr. Pops. Barre, Mass.: Barre, 1972. A photographic essay with a brief biography is suitable for young readers.
Moore, Robin. Fiedler: The Colorful Mr. Pops, the Man, and His Music. Boston: Little, Brown, 1968. Well-written and complimentary account of Fiedler’s life. Includes illustrations and extensive discography.
Wilson, Carol Green. Arthur Fiedler: Music for the Millions, the Story of the Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. New York: Evans, 1968. Written by a friend of the family, this book is an affectionate biography. Includes illustrations.