Efrem Zimbalist: A Life

Violinist and educator Efrem Zimbalist (1890-1985) led a legendary life in music in an age of violin legends. Of the dazzling stars to emerge from the Russian School at the beginning of the 20th century, Zimbalist earned a special place. David Oistrakh compared him to Heifetz: ?While Heifetz conquered by sheer brilliance, Zimbalist captivated people by appealing to profound mysteries of heart and soul.? Zimbalist was also one of the century?s great teachers, for 40 years devoting himself to the renowned Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, serving as its director from 1941 to 1968.

His was a remarkable journey, fortunately recounted in hundreds of hours of taped interviews with author and Curtis Institute student Malan, longtime concertmaster of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. Malan then waited nearly a decade after Zimbalist?s death before seeking publication, so that the story could be told in its entirety.

This definitive biography of the world?s first globe-trotting virtuoso also includes a discography and a list of Zimbalist?s students.

CONTENIDO

Foreword by Josef Gingold
Preface
A Note to the Reader
Prelude

1. Promising Beginnings (1890-1901)
2. St. Petersburg Proving-Ground (1901-1902)
3. Classroom and Palace (1902)
4. Student Life and Rimsky-Korsakov (1903-1906)
5. Prizewinning Graduate (1906-1907)
6. Luftpause in Alt Wien (Summer 1907)
7. Promise Fulfilled: Berlin (Fall 1907)
8. European Kudos (Fall-Winter 1907)
9. London and Joseph Fels (1907-1908)
10. A temporary base (1908-1909)
11. Return to Russia (1909-1911)
12. America and Alma: Love at First Sight (Fall 1911)
13. Trying the New World on for Size (Winter 1911-Spring 1912)
14. Marriage and a Changing World (1912-1914)
15. Manhattan Family Heart (1914-1920)
16. High Living (1920-1932)
17. Discovering the Orient (1922-1928)
18. A New Career: Globetrotting Professor (1928-1933)
19. Soviet Invitation -and Personal Tragedy (1933-1938)
20. Mary Louise Curtis Bok and the C.I.M. (1938-1947)
21. Winding Down (1947-1968)
22. Productive Retirement (1970-1978)
23. Coming to Terms with Bach - and Mortality (1978-1985)

Postlude. Zimbalist's Violin Mastery and Influence
The Zimbalist Students
Discography
Bibliography
Index