Ann Hobson Pilot: Barrier-Breaking Harpist

10:47

July 28, 2011

Anne Hobson Pilot is a world class harpist and a musical pioneer.

Ann Hobson Pilot, hapist (Courtesy WGBH-TV)

At the age of 23, she became the National Symphony's first and only African American female player. At 26, she joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and in 1980, became the BSO's principal harpist, once again breaking the color line. She remained there for nearly 30 years and earned a reputation for her big, broad and dramatic sound.

She retired from the BSO in 2009. Now she's the subject of a new documentary, "A Harpist's Legacy — Ann Hobson Pilot and the Sound of Change," airing Thursday on WGBH's Channel 2.

Guest:

Ann Hobson Pilot, harpist

More:

Watch: "A Harpist's Legacy — Ann Hobson Pilot and the Sound of Change", Thursday, July 28 at 10pm, WBGH-TV

This segment aired on July 28, 2011.