Benjamin T. Rome School of Music

During my last year of high school I commuted once a month from Kentucky to Indiana to study with Mr. Gingold. After performing the Vieuxtemps: Concerto No. 5 with orchestra, I sent him a letter and a newspaper review. This postcard below is what he wrote back.

The violinist pictured here is Josef Gingold's teacher, Eugene Ysaye. Mr. Gingold was an exquisite and poetic violin virtuoso (a member of the NBC Symphony under Toscanini, and later concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell). He was also a great human being who cared deeply about the people in his life. His teaching and playing inspired several generations of extraordinary violinists, from Jamie Laredo to Itzahk Perlman to Joshua Bell. I am priviledged to have studied violin and chamber music with him (1964-70). I honor his humanity and generosity as a violinist, a teacher and a human being.

On the 10th anniversary of the legendary George Szell's tenure as Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, he wrote to the Concertmaser, Josef Gingold: "...In this tenth of my years with the C. O., when we can look back on very considerable progress, I am convinced that this type of unfolding of a variety of virtues of an orchestra would have been unthinkable without you. This broad statement is meant to cover both your superb artistry and your moral influence on the consciences of all of us...."

CUA Home | School of Music | Gatwood Home | Galamian | Menuhin | Recordings | Performances | OrchLit | College Audition Prep