Luca, Sergiu
Luca, Sergiu
Luca, Sergiu, noted Romanian-born American violinist and teacher; b. Bucharest, April 4,1943. He began to study violin as a child, and in 1950 his parents took him to Israel, where he made his debut as a soloist with the Haifa Sym. Orch. (1952). He later continued his studies with Rostal in London, at the Bern Cons. (1958–61), and with Galamian at the Curtis Inst. of Music in Philadelphia (1961–65). He made his U.S. debut as soloist with the Philadelphia Orch. in 1965; subsequently appeared with many American and European orchs. with considerable success. In 1966 he became a naturalized American citizen. He was founder-director of the Chamber Music Northwest Festival in Portland, Ore. (1971–80); then was prof. of violin at the Univ. of III. (1980–83); subsequently was prof. of violin and violinist-in- residence at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice Univ. in Houston (from 1983) and also served as music director of the Tex. Chamber Orch. (1983–88). In 1988 he became founder-general director of the Houston-based arts organization Da Camera. He distinguished himself in a broad repertoire, ranging from the Baroque to the contemporary eras. His performances of early music are notable for their stylistic propriety
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire