GOLDBERG, SZYMON

GOLDBERG, SZYMON (1909–1993), violinist and conductor of Polish birth. He studied with Mihailowicz in Warsaw, and with Flesch in Berlin. After his debut in Warsaw (1921), he appeared with the Berlin po (1924) and was leader of the Dresden Philharmonic (1925–1929). From 1929 to 1934 he formed a string trio with Hindemith and *Feuermann and was appointed concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic. He then toured as soloist and as sonata partner with Lili *Kraus. While on a tour of Asia, Goldberg was interned in Java by the Japanese (1942–1945). After the war he resumed his career and played in Australia, South Africa, the Americas, and Israel. He became an American citizen (1953) and taught at the Aspen Music School (1951–1965) where he formed the Festival Quartet, which achieved wide recognition in concerts and on records. Goldberg played trios with Casals and R. *Serkin during the Prades Festival (1954) and became permanent conductor and musical director of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra (1955), which he led with notable distinction for 22 years. From 1969 he lived in London, conducted the Manchester Camerata (1977–1982), taught at Yale University, the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. From 1990 until his death he conducted the New Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo. He was an officer of the Order of Oranje Nassau. A masterly violinist Goldberg's tone was warm and pure, his interpretations stressed refinement, intimacy and a noble intensity. His recordings include a distinguished set of the Brandenburg Concertos and, with Radu Lupu, 16 Mozart sonatas. He was also a sensitive performer of Bartók, Berg, and Hindemith.

bibliography:

Grove Music Online; mgg²; Baker's Biographical Dictionary (1997); B. Gavoty. Szymon Goldberg (Geneva, 1961).

[Naama Ramot (2^nd ed.)]