Lola Bobesco facts for kids

Lola Violeta Ana-Maria Bobesco (born August 9, 1921 – died September 4, 2003) was a famous Belgian violin player. She was originally from Romania.

Early Life and Musical Talent

Lola Bobesco was born in Craiova, Romania. She started playing the violin at a very young age. She was a child prodigy, meaning she had amazing talent early on.

At just 6 years old, she gave her first concert. Her father, Aurel Bobesco, was a composer and conductor. He performed with her at this first show.

Learning to Play the Violin

Lola studied music in Paris, France. From 1928 to 1935, she attended the Ecole Normale Musique de Paris. She learned violin from Marcel Chailley there.

She also studied at the Conservatoire de Paris from 1931 to 1935. In 1934, she won her first prize. She then graduated with a special award called the "Prix d'Excellence." She also took private lessons from famous violinists like George Enescu and Jacques Thibaud.

Becoming Famous

Lola became known around the world when she was 17. In 1936, she played in Paris with the Colonne Orchestra. She performed a violin concerto by Romanian composer Stan Golestan. A concerto is a piece of music for a solo instrument and an orchestra.

The next year, in 1937, she won seventh prize at the Eugène Ysaÿe contest. This was a very important music competition.

Career Highlights

Even though she lived abroad, Lola often returned to Romania. She played many concerts there. She performed with the Radio Philharmonic in Bucharest. She also played in other cities like Craiova and Timișoara.

Founding Music Groups

Lola Bobesco started two important music groups in Belgium. In 1958, she founded the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie. This is a chamber orchestra based in Liège. A chamber orchestra is a small orchestra.

Later, in 1990, she started a string quartet called L'Arte del Suono. This group was based in Brussels. A string quartet is a group of four string players.

Teaching and Judging

Lola was also a dedicated teacher. She taught violin at the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles. She also taught at the Conservatory of Liège from 1962 to 1974.

She was asked to be a judge for the Queen Elizabeth Competition. This is a very famous music contest. She was a judge in 1971 and again in 1993.

Recordings and Performances

Lola Bobesco recorded many classical music pieces. She recorded sonatas by famous composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms. A sonata is a piece for one or two instruments.

She also recorded baroque music, including concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach. Baroque music is a style of classical music from the 17th and 18th centuries.

She performed with many major orchestras worldwide. These included the Berlin and London Philharmonics. She also played with the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. For her concerts and chamber music shows, she often played with pianist Jacques Genty.

Lola's Unique Style

Lola Bobesco was a very powerful violinist, even though she looked delicate. She was great at playing difficult parts. But she also played with a clear and simple style.

Her playing was known for its pure and warm sound. She expressed feelings clearly through her music. Many people thought she was one of the best female violinists in the world. She made recordings for several record labels, including Decca and Columbia.

Legacy

Lola Bobesco passed away in Spa, Belgium.

Her violin was a special one, made by a famous craftsman named G.B Guadagnini.

Today, there is a street named after her in Brussels. It is called 'Rue Lola Bobesco'. This shows how much she is remembered and honored.