Background
Forbes, Elliot was born on August 30, 1917 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Edward Waldo and Margaret (Laighton) Forbes.
conductor historian musicologist university professor
Forbes, Elliot was born on August 30, 1917 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Edward Waldo and Margaret (Laighton) Forbes.
He attended Harvard, receiving a Bachelor in 1941 and an Master of Arts in 1947, both in music He studied with Walter Piston, and while he was a graduate student, he was assistant conductor of the Harvard Glee Club.
From 1947-1958, he taught at Princeton University, but in 1958 he returned to Harvard and remained there for the rest of his life as Fanny Peabody Professor of Music (and, after 1984, Professor Emeritus)
While conductor, he led both groups on a tour around the world in 1967. Aside from conducting, his scholarly work focused on the life and work of Beethoven, particularly his choral music His edition of Thayer"s Life of Beethoven (1964) has been called "a substantial contribution to Beethoven scholarship." He also wrote two notable volumes of the history of music at Harvard, and edited the Harvard-Radcliffe Choral Music Series.
He was on the boards of the New England Conservatory, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, whose piano is dedicated in his honor.
Right up to his death, he remained an unflagging supporter of undergraduate performers, frequently attending events at which he was the only faculty member present. Forbes was married to Kathleen Brooks Allen.
Overseer New England Conservatory, since 1984. Trustee Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, since 1966. Member American Musicol.
Society, College Music Society, American Academy Arts and Sciences.
Married Kathleen Brooks Allen, June 7, 1941. Children– Diana, Barbara Anne, Susan.