William Bennett (May 31, 1956 – February 28, 2013) was an American musician. He was the principal oboist for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
William Bennett | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 31, 1956 New Haven, Connecticut |
| Died | February 28, 2013 (aged 56) San Francisco, California |
| Genres | Classical |
| Instrument(s) | Oboe |
| Years active | 1979–2013 |
| Formerly of | San Francisco Symphony |
Life
Bennett was born in New Haven, Connecticut, where his father William R. Bennett Jr. was a university professor. He joined the San Francisco Symphony in 1979, and was promoted to principal oboist in 1987, after Marc Lifschey's retirement.
John Harbison's oboe concerto was written for him.[1]
Bennett died in San Francisco on February 28, 2013, a few days after collapsing on stage during a performance of the Oboe Concerto by Richard Strauss. He was 56 and is survived by his wife and two children.[2]