Aïda Stucki was a Swiss classical violinist born on March 23, 1921, in Zürich, Switzerland. She was the daughter of a music teacher and began playing the violin at the age of four. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she began performing in public at the age of six. Stucki studied at the Zürich Conservatory with the renowned violinist Stefi Geyer, who had been a student of the legendary Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim. She also studied with the violinist Carl Flesch in Berlin. Stucki's playing was characterized by a pure, sweet tone and a technical mastery that was the envy of many of her contemporaries. Stucki made her debut as a soloist with the Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra at the age of 12, playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. She quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young violinists of her generation. In 1938, she won first prize in the International Violin Competition in Vienna, Austria, which launched her international career. During World War II, Stucki continued to perform in Switzerland and other neutral countries. She also taught at the Zürich Conservatory and the Lucerne Music Academy. After the war, she resumed her international career, performing with major orchestras and conductors around the world. Stucki was particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Bach and Mozart. She was also a champion of contemporary music, premiering works by Swiss composers such as Frank Martin and Arthur Honegger. In 1952, she gave the world premiere of Martin's Violin Concerto No. 2, which was dedicated to her. Stucki's recordings were highly regarded, particularly her performances of the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. She also recorded the complete Mozart Violin Concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Barenboim. Stucki was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1951, she was awarded the Prix de Lausanne, and in 1953, she was made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government. In 1961, she was awarded the Hans Georg Nägeli Medal by the city of Zürich for her contributions to the cultural life of the city. Stucki continued to perform and teach until her death on June 25, 1979, in Zürich. She was widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of her generation, and her legacy continues to inspire young musicians today.

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