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Elizabeth Rowe, Principal Flute, retires from the Boston SO

BSO Musicians Photo: Marco Borggreve
BSO Musicians Photo: Marco Borggreve

Elizabeth Rowe, Principal Flute of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has decided to retire - making this her final season at Tanglewood. She talks to Charlotte Wilson about "everything she is leaving behind" and the fascinating question of self-identity for a musician: after being at the top for 20 years, what her instrument will mean to her now.

Charlotte Wilson has been immersed in classical music all her life. Her parents were great music lovers, always had something playing on the radio or turntable, and she began on recorder and then piano before she can remember. Charlotte originally wanted to be a concert pianist but just didn’t quite have it, no matter how hard she practiced! She tried many other instruments slightly too late (violin, cello, clarinet) before discovering radio. Charlotte can be heard from 4-8pm weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays.