Joseph Silverstein facts for kids
Joseph Harry Silverstein (born March 21, 1932 – died November 21, 2015) was an American violinist and conductor. He was known for his amazing musical talent.
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Early Life and Musical Training
Joseph Silverstein was born in Detroit. His family and friends called him "Joey." His father, Bernard Silverstein, was a music teacher. Joseph learned to play the violin from his father.
When he was just 12 years old, Joseph started studying at the Curtis Institute of Music. This is a very famous music school. He had many great teachers there, including Efrem Zimbalist and Josef Gingold. Even though he didn't finish high school, he graduated from Curtis in 1950. After finishing his studies, Joseph played violin in several orchestras. These included the Houston Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra
In 1955, Joseph Silverstein joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). He was the youngest musician in the orchestra at that time. He quickly became very successful.
In 1959, he won a silver medal at the important Queen Elisabeth Music Competition. The next year, in 1960, he won the Naumburg Award. This award is given to talented young musicians. In 1962, Joseph became the BSO's concertmaster. This is the lead violinist in an orchestra. He held this important job for 22 years. In 1971, he also became an assistant conductor for the BSO.
While in Boston, Joseph also played with other local music groups. He taught music at several universities, including the New England Conservatory of Music and Yale University. He also taught at the Tanglewood Music Center. Joseph left the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1984.
Later Career and Teaching
After leaving the BSO, Joseph Silverstein continued his impressive music career. He became the music director of the Utah Symphony in 1983. He led this orchestra until 1998.
Later, he was the acting music director for the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra from 2001 to 2003. He also advised the Portland Symphony Orchestra for one season. Besides conducting, Joseph was a professor of violin at the Curtis Institute of Music. This was the same school where he had studied as a child. In 1969, he also joined the faculty at the Sarasota Music Festival. Joseph Silverstein played a very special violin made in 1742 by a famous maker named Guarneri del Gesù.
Personal Life
Joseph Silverstein married Adrienne Shufro in 1954. They had two daughters and one son. He passed away in 2015, and his wife, children, and four grandchildren survived him.
