American Violinist Oscar Shumsky Died in 2000

Remembered as one of the great violinists of the 20th century, Shumsky was known for his warm yet grand sound and highly expressive intonation

American violinist, pedagogue, and conductor Oscar Shumsky died on this day 21 years ago, aged 83.

Shumsky served distinguished teaching positions on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music, Peabody Conservatory, Yale University, and The Juilliard School. He was known for playing in the warm yet grand Romantic tradition of Russian-Jewish violinists in the 20th century. He soloed with major orchestras around the world and, for a time, served as the first violinist of the Primrose Quartet.

Born to Russian immigrant parents in Philadelphia, Shumsky began studying the violin at the age of three. His outstanding talent was recognized early, and he was in the company of remarkable prodigies such as Yehudi Menuhin, Ruggiero Ricci, and Guila Bustabo. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Shumsky returned to the stage as a soloist.

For much of his career, he performed on the 1715 "Ex-Pierre Rode" Stradivarius.