Rose, Leonard (Joseph)
Rose, Leonard (Joseph)
Rose, Leonard (Joseph) , eminent American cellist and pedagogue; b. Washington, D.C., July 27, 1918; d. White Plains, N.Y., Nov. 16, 1984. He began to study the cello at age 10, and enrolled at the Miami Cons. when he was 11, continuing his training with Walter Grossman. He then went to N.Y. to study with his cousin, Frank Miller, and subsequently received a scholarship to the Curtis Inst. of Music in Philadelphia, where he completed his studies with Felix Salmond (1934–38). He was asst. 1st cellist of the NBC Sym. Orch. in N.Y. (1938–39), then 1st cellist of the Cleveland Orch. (1939–43). He also served as head of the cello depts. at the Cleveland Inst. of Music and the Oberlin (Ohio) Cons. In 1943 he became 1st cellist of the N.Y. Phil.; appeared at his concerto debut with it at Carnegie Hall on Jan. 29, 1944; resigned his post in 1951 and embarked upon a brilliant career as a virtuoso of the first rank in appearances as a soloist with the world’s great orchs.; also gave recitals and appeared in numerous chamber music settings, later serving as a member of the renowned Istomin-Stern- Rose Trio (from 1961). He taught at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. (1947–51; 1962–84) and at the Curtis Inst. of Music (1951–62). Among his notable pupils were Stephen Kates, Lynn Harrell, and Yo-Yo Ma.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire