Background
Lettvin, Theodore was born on October 29, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Solomon and Fannie (Naktin) Lettvin.
composer conductor music educator
Lettvin, Theodore was born on October 29, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Solomon and Fannie (Naktin) Lettvin.
Museum B., Curtis Institute Music, 1949. Postgraduate, University Pennsylvania. Postgraduate, University New Hampshire.
Postgraduate, University California, San Jose. Postgraduate, Florida State University.
Lettvin"s first concert was at the age of 5 at the Lyon & Healy in Chicago. At age 11 he appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under conductor Frederick Stock. As a teenager, he was accepted as a scholarship student of Rudolf Serkin and Mieczysław Horszowski at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
He made his European debut touring France with violinist Sidney Harth in 1951-1952 in a concert series organized by the National Music League and the Jeunesses Musicales International.
Some of the orchestras with which Lettvin performed include the New York Philharmonic, and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Atlanta, Vienna, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo. He also participated in the summer festivals at Tanglewood, Ravina, Saratoga, Sarasota, Salzburg and Interlochen.
Prior to his appointment as Professor Emeritus by Rutgers University and the University of Michigan, Lettvin was a Distinguished Professor in their music departments where he directed their Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma programs. Before joining these universities, Mr.
Lettvin was on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, the Cleveland Music School Settlement, and Artist in Residence at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Some of the foremost teachers and performers have been his students. After his death in August 2003, many of his students and family have continued his legacy. There is a concert series in Bradford, New Hampshire, named for him, as a testament to his impact on the community and on the music world.
Six sample recordings are available online at.
Member American Federation Musicians, American Guild Museum Artists, American Association of University Professors (Executive Committee), Music Teachers National Association, American Liszt Society, Curtis Institute Music Alumnae Association (board directors). M C.
Married Joan Rorimer. Children: Rory, Ellen, David.