Ivry Gitlis's concert programs often challenged audiences by including contemporary works by composers like Bruno Maderna and Yannis Xenakis, as well as seldom-heard pieces by Paul Hindemith, Igor Stravinsky, and Ernest Bloch.
Historical Context
Ivry Gitlis's early career was interrupted by World War II, during which he worked in a munitions factory and performed as a pianist for Allied soldiers in England.
Performer Biography
Ivry Gitlis was appointed a special ambassador for UNESCO in 1988 and granted a professorship at the French State Conservatoire in Paris in 1995.
Performer Biography
Ivry Gitlis, the violinist on this album, is often called 'the great free spirit' among 20th-century violin virtuosos due to his repertoire choices and interpretations.
Performer Biography
Ivry Gitlis's international career was launched after he won the Jacques Thibaud Competition in 1951, leading to worldwide concert tours.
Performer Biography
At age 10, Ivry Gitlis was recommended to the Paris Conservatoire by the renowned violinist Bronislaw Huberman, where Gitlis won first prize just three years later.
Recording & Production
The recordings on this album were made between 1949 and 1962.
