Robert Houssart was a renowned classical music artist who was born on May 12, 1932, in London, England. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a pianist, and his mother was a singer, which inspired him to pursue a career in music. Houssart began his musical journey at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons. He showed exceptional talent and quickly progressed, impressing his teachers and family with his skills. At the age of 12, he started playing the violin and fell in love with the instrument. He continued to study both the piano and the violin, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing in public. In 1950, Houssart was accepted into the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under the guidance of renowned violinist Frederick Grinke. He graduated with honors in 1954 and went on to pursue a career as a professional musician. Houssart's career took off in the 1960s when he started performing with some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world. He was known for his exceptional technique and musicality, and his performances were always highly praised by critics and audiences alike. One of the highlights of Houssart's career was his performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1965. He played the solo violin part in Beethoven's Violin Concerto, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. The performance was a huge success, and Houssart received a standing ovation from the audience. Houssart also performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic, among others. He was a regular performer at the Proms in London and was invited to perform at the Edinburgh Festival several times. In addition to his performances as a soloist, Houssart was also a member of several chamber music ensembles. He played with the Amadeus Quartet, the Melos Ensemble, and the London String Quartet, among others. He was known for his ability to blend in with other musicians and create a seamless and harmonious sound. Houssart was also a dedicated teacher and taught at several music schools and universities throughout his career. He was a professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London and also taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music. Houssart received several awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of the British Empire in 1983 and the Queen's Medal for Music in 2002. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Houssart continued to perform and teach until his death on January 1, 2011, at the age of 78. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest violinists of his generation, and his contributions to the world of classical music will always be remembered.

More....