Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Gabor Rejto was a Hungarian-American cellist and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on January 15, 1916, in Budapest, Hungary, Rejto was the son of a prominent violinist and conductor, Jeno Rejto. Growing up in a musical family, Rejto was exposed to music from a young age and began playing the cello at the age of six. Rejto's talent as a cellist was quickly recognized, and he began studying at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest at the age of 11. He studied under the renowned cellist Adolf Schiffer and graduated with honors in 1935. After completing his studies, Rejto began performing with various orchestras in Europe, including the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1939, Rejto immigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, California. He quickly established himself as a prominent cellist in the American music scene and began performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He also became a member of the MGM Studio Orchestra, where he played on numerous film scores. Throughout his career, Rejto was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, and he was one of the first cellists to perform Bach's solo cello suites in their entirety. In addition to his performing career, Rejto was also a dedicated music educator. He taught at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music for over 30 years, and he also taught at the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Music Academy of the West. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as cellists and music educators themselves. Rejto's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1952, he was awarded the prestigious Naumburg Award for his outstanding performances as a soloist. He was also a recipient of the Los Angeles Music Center's Distinguished Artist Award and the University of Southern California's Ramo Music Faculty Award. One of Rejto's most notable performances took place in 1961, when he performed the complete Bach cello suites in a series of concerts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The performances were widely acclaimed and helped to establish Rejto as one of the foremost interpreters of Bach's music. Rejto continued to perform and teach until his death on December 15, 1987, at the age of 71. His legacy as a cellist and music educator continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

More....