Sad news: Erich Gruenberg, violinist, orchestra leader and teacher, has died at the age of 95.
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Misha Horenstein has today posted/released a particularly fine performance of the Beethoven Concerto with the former BBC Northern Orchestra under his cousin Jascha Horenstein. Gruenberg wasn’t just one of the finest orchestral and quartet leaders of the post-war London scene, he was also a supreme soloist and sonata player. This ‘live broadcast’ from King George’s Hall, Blackburn, 28 October 1970, is a wonderful memorial to his humanity and artistry. A provincial “out of town”gig maybe but of a kind of music making, emotional eloquence, structural span and devotedly honest direction that can only but inspire. Rest in Peace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v7wEYFtY6U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1_bLKyYqMXee49jeviEaOYpO8M2SOsMC3bQtDLODOj62IqQv432St-GFY
I heard this fine violinist in the Beethoven Concerto at the RFH in the 1970’s.
He broke a string in the first movement, handed the violin to the leader, took the leader’s violin and waited for the long tutti, which had just begun, to end.
Well as it ended his violin was given back in time for Erich to recommence his performance uninterrupted.
A sort of miracle but an occasion I have never forgotten.
When Nicola Benedetti broke her string playing the premiere of John Tavener’s Concerto, also at the RFH, she left the platform and took 12 minutes to return with a new string!
Quite a contrast!
RIP Erich Greunberg. You gave me and countless others decades of pleasure of the greatest sort.
Erich and John were a long-established duo, and played across the UK, the US and Canada. I well remember very many happy occasions, which I have detailed in the biography of John which I have written (awaiting publication). My condolences to his lovely wife and two gifted daughters, Joanna and Tina.