BIOGRAPHY
Isaac stern was born in Kremenetz, Ukraine, on July 21, 1920. His family travelled to the United States when he was one year old and settled in San Francisco. He was trained in music by his mother, a professional singer and, at age 7, first began learning the piano, then the violin at age 9. He later studied for 3 years with Robert Pollack and for a few months with Louis Persinger. He also studied until age 15 with Nahum Blinder, whom he considered his only true teacher. He was later to say : "He taught me how to learn by myself, which is the most important thing a teacher can teach you". From this time on, Isaac stern became very interested in chamber music, already playing quartets and quintets with the principals of the San Francisco Orchestra. At age 15, he performed J. S. Bach's Double Concerto on stage with his teacher. The following year, in 1936, he played the Brahms concerto with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under Pierre Monteux, then the Tchaikovsky concerto in Los Angeles under Otto Klemperer. On October 11, 1937, he made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall, a concert-hall where he again appeared in February 1939. This new public appearance was hailed by enthusiastic critics, placing him at the forefront of musicians of his generation. During World War II, he gave many concerts for the Armed Forces.
The
beginning of an extraordinary career
In January 1943, Isaac stern gave his first Carnegie Hall recital. The following year, he appeared twice with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos. In 1945, he made his first recordings for Columbia, and the following year, he was chosen by Hollywood to double the violin parts for the actor John Garfield in Humoresque. This launched his career, and thereafter he went on to play with the greatest conductors : Sir Thomas Beecham, Dimitri Mitropoulos, Bruno Walter, Eugene Ormandy, Leonard Bernstein and George Szell. He played the part of Eugčne Ysa’e in the film Tonight We Sing relating the life of the great impresario Sol Hurok. In 1948, he made his European debut at the Lucerne Festival. In 1950, he took part in the first Prades Festival, organized with Pablo Casals by Alexander Schneider to celebrate the 200th anniversary of J. S. Bach's death. He again appeared with Casals during the following years in Perpignan and Prades, and a few years later at the Puerto Rico Festival.
Isaac stern with Yefim
Bronfman.
A passion
for chamber music
His meeting with the famous cellist was a determinant influence and led him to devote part of his activity to chamber music, with Eugene Istomin, Alexander Schneider, William Primrose or Paul Tortelier. In the early 1960s, he organized a trio with Eugene Istomin and Leonard Rose, which became extremely successful and toured widely until Rose's death in 1984. In 1956, during the cold war, he was also one of the first US musicians to tour widely in the USSR. On the other hand, contrary to Yehudi Menuhin, he always refused to play in Germany, in memory of the atrocities committed under nazi rule. He had very strong ties with the State of Israel and collaborated assiduously with Israelo-American cultural centers and foundations, providing advice and support to young musicians in that country. He thus played an important role as a pedagogue and mentor for young Israeli virtuosi as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Myriam Fried, Sergiu Luca or Shlomo Mintz.
A perfect balance between virtuosity and musicianship
In addition to his activity as a violinist, Isaac stern participated intensively in American musical life, making important contributions as music director for the National Council for the Arts. Since 1960, he has also been Chairman of Carnegie Hall, that prestigious concert-hall which, with others, he saved from demolition. In 1979, he made a trip to China, and the film relating this event From Mao to Mozart was awarded an Oscar in 1981. Many contemporary works were composed for Isaac stern, including William Schuman's Concerto in 1950, Leonard Bernstein's Serenade in 1954, George Rochberg's Concerto in 1975, Penderecki's Concerto n°1 in 1977, Dutilleux's Concerto in 1985 and Maxwell Davies 's Concerto in 1986. In 1987, Isaac stern formed a new trio with Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax, which performs and records in company of such artists as Jaime Laredo and Cho-Liang Lin. Due to his fiery temperament, unique generosity of tone and fascinating musicianship, Isaac stern has achieved the ideal balance between the virtuoso and the musician. A symbol of American violin playing for over 50 years, he is also one of the greatest 20th century masters.
Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac stern, Sandor
Vegh and David Oistrakh.
Violins:
Guarneri del Gesł (1737) "The Vicomte de Panette" which Isaac stern bought in 1947 and sold in 1994. In 1996, Vadim Repin recorded the Ravel and Medtner sonatas on this instrument, which was lent to him be his present owner, Mr. David Fulton.
Guarneri del Gesł (1740), which belonged to Eugčne Ysa’e and includes a label signed by the Belgian violinist and stating: "This violin was the faithful companion of my career." Later owned by Charles Munch, this violin was purchased by Isaac stern in 1965. It was also played by Yehudi Menuhin and Ivry Gitlis.
Stradivari (1721) "The Kruse", which belonged to Rodolphe Kreutzer
Carlo Bergonzi which now belongs to Paavo Berglund.
G. B. Guadagnini (1750).
G. B. Guadagnini (1754), which now belongs to Boris Belkin.
J. B.Vuillaume (1846) "The Tsar"
Bows:
F. X. Tourte, Persois, N. Kittel, E. Pageot, D. Peccatte, Voirin, Henry, Sartory which belonged to Ysa’e.