Not to be confused with Arthur Fielder, a Kent fast bowler of the 1900s.Arthur Fiedler (December 17, 1894 – July 10, 1979) was a long-time conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a symphony orchestra that specializes in popular and light classical music. With a combination of musicianship and showmanship, he made the Boston Pops one of the best-known orchestras in the country. Some people criticized him for over-popularizing music, particularly when adapting popular songs or edited portions of the classical repertoire, but Fiedler kept performances informal and sometimes self-mocking to attract a bigger audience.
His recording of "Jealousy" (or "Jalousie") was released in Australia and New Zealand on the "His Master's Voice" record label, as were most of his 78-rpm discs. "Jealousy" sold more than one million copies in Australia between 1935 and 1952. His music remains popular in Australia with a number of LP titles re-issued in recent years.
2
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1626 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
3
Conducted the world premiere of Walter Piston's ballet "The Incredible Flutist" in 1938.
4
Is the 1960 recipient of the prestigious Connor Award given by the brothers of the Phi Alpha Tau fraternity based out of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also an honorary brother of the fraternity.
5
A long-time fire buff, he was eventually given his own fire engine by the Boston Fire Department, and made honorary fire chief there and in several other cities in which he appeared. In addition, there was a standing order with the Boston Fire Department to give him a phone call alerting him to any three-alarm or more fire in the area.
6
Has a bridge in Boston named for him. The Arthur Fiedler Footbridge crosses Storrow Drive and provides access to the Charles River Esplanade, the site of the famous Boston Pops Fourth of July concerts Fiedler initiated in 1974.
7
Father of author/journalist Johanna Fiedler.
8
Had a long, distinguished career as Mu as Music Director of the Boston Pops (1930-79). He was a rarity among conductors in that he was a best-selling classical artist. His many albums on RCA Victor, Polydor and Deutsche Grammophon records include "Strauss Family Waltzes" (repertoire in which he was something of a specialist, having played under Johann Strauss' nephew in Vienna), "Old-Timer's Night at the Pops," "Gaite Parisienne," "Evening at Pops," "'Pops' Goes the Trumpet" (with Al Hirt), "Fiedler's All-Time Favorites," "Star Dust," "'Jalousie' and Other Favorites in the Latin Flavor," "Irish Night at the Pops," and, perhaps inevitably, "The Best of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops".
9
As a violist, took part in the first recording sessions by an American symphony orchestra. This took place when the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under [error] (whom Fiedler idolized), made their first recordings for Victor at Camden, New Jersey, in September of 1917.
$1.4 Million
