Ivry Gitlis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ivry Gitlis
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Ivry Gitlis at home (Paris, 2010)
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Yitzhak-Meir Gitlis |
| Born | 25 August 1922 Haifa, Palestine Mandate (now Israel) |
| Died | 24 December 2020 (aged 98) Paris, France |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | violinist, teacher, writer, actor |
| Instruments | Violin |
| Years active | 1937–2019 |
Ivry Gitlis (Hebrew: עברי גיטליס; born August 25, 1922 – died December 24, 2020) was a famous Israeli violinist. He was known for his amazing skill on the violin. He also served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, working for peace and understanding. Gitlis played with many of the world's best orchestras. These included the London Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Contents
Early Life and Music Studies
Ivry Gitlis was born as Yitzhak-Meir Gitlis in Haifa, Israel. His parents moved there in 1921 from Ukraine.
First Violin Lessons
Gitlis got his first violin when he was five years old. He began taking lessons with a teacher named Mme Velikovsky. Later, he studied with Mira Ben-Ami. When he was eight, she arranged for him to play for the famous violinist Bronisław Huberman. This performance helped raise money so he could study music in France.
Studying in Paris
In 1933, Ivry and his mother moved to Paris. He started lessons with Marcel Chailley. During this time, he met other great musicians like George Enescu and Jacques Thibaud. He also decided to change his first name to Ivry. At age 11, Gitlis joined the Conservatoire de Paris. He graduated from this famous music school in 1935. From 1938 to 1940, he continued his studies with George Enescu, Jacques Thibaud, and Carl Flesch.
His Amazing Music Career
World War II and Early Performances
In 1940, during World War II, Ivry Gitlis moved to London. He first worked in a factory for two years. After that, he joined the artists' part of the British Army. He played many concerts for the Allied soldiers. He also performed in war factories to boost spirits. After the war, he made a successful debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He then played with the BBC and other major orchestras in Great Britain.
Challenges and Success in the 1950s
In 1951, Gitlis took part in the Long-Thibaud Competition in Paris. He placed fifth in this important music contest. During the competition, there was a misunderstanding about a violin. Despite this, he made his debut in Paris that same year. He played a solo concert at the Salle Gaveau.
In the 1950s, he moved to the United States. There, he met another famous violinist, Jascha Heifetz. Gitlis went on several tours across the U.S. He played with conductors like Eugene Ormandy and George Szell. He also made many recordings for the Vox label. His recording of Bartók's 2nd Violin Concerto won "Best Record of the Year" in 1955.
Playing in the Soviet Union and Unique Projects
In 1963, Ivry Gitlis became the first Israeli violinist to play in the Soviet Union. He gave a series of concerts there. These performances were part of a cultural exchange program. He played in cities like Moscow, Leningrad, and Kiev.
In 1968, he took part in a special film project. It was called The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. He performed a song with Yoko Ono and a band called The Dirty Mac. Many composers were inspired by his unique playing style. They wrote music especially for him.
Founding Festivals and Acting
In 1972, Gitlis started the Festival de Vence. This music festival became famous for its new and exciting programs. He also helped organize other music festivals.
In 1975, he tried acting. He played a hypnotist in the film The Story of Adele H. He was also very popular in Japan and visited often.
Working for Peace and Education
In 1990, Ivry Gitlis was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. His goal was to support education and promote peace and tolerance. He believed music could help people understand each other. He performed at important international events.
In 2008, he became a patron of an association called "Inspiration(s)". This group helps make classical music available to everyone. He also shared his knowledge at the Keshet Eilon Music Center.
Famous Violins He Played
Throughout his career, Ivry Gitlis played on several very valuable violins. These included a 1699 Giovanni Battista Rogeri violin. He also played the 1737 "Chant du Cygne" Antonio Stradivari violin. Another famous instrument he used was the 1740 "Ysaye" Guarneri del Gesù. Gitlis owned the 1713 "Sancy" Stradivari violin. He also had a violin made by Émile Marcel Français in 1944.
Ivry Gitlis's Wisdom
Ivry Gitlis often shared his thoughts on music and life. Here are some of his famous quotes:
- "... don't be so polite with the music, it's like being in love!" (from a masterclass, 2011)
- "Sheet music is a bunch of black marks; they have no significance ... I play violin, but to play well you have to be much more than a violin player." (October 2012)
- "... rubato is the art of playing in tempo..." (about a musical term)
- When asked his motto, he said: "... to be alive, to be aware, to hear, to know, to feel, to see, to love, to be loved a little bit sometimes." (July 2011)
Personal Life
Since the late 1960s, Ivry Gitlis lived in Paris, France. He passed away there on December 24, 2020, at the age of 98.
Images for kids
-
Gitlis with pianist Martha Argerich, after a joint performance in Tel Aviv, 2018
See also
In Spanish: Ivry Gitlis para niños
