Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Earl Carlyss was an American violinist and educator who was born on January 26, 1938, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents recognized his musical talent at an early age. Carlyss began playing the violin when he was just four years old, and he quickly showed a natural aptitude for the instrument. Carlyss's family moved to New York City when he was a child, and he began studying with the renowned violinist Ivan Galamian at the Juilliard School. Galamian was known for his rigorous teaching methods, and Carlyss was one of his most promising students. Carlyss also studied with other notable violinists, including Joseph Fuchs and Jascha Heifetz. In 1960, Carlyss joined the Juilliard String Quartet as its second violinist. The quartet was already well-established, having been founded in 1946, and Carlyss was joining a group of musicians who were already renowned for their technical skill and musicality. The quartet's other members at the time were Robert Mann (first violin), Raphael Hillyer (viola), and Claus Adam (cello). Carlyss remained with the Juilliard String Quartet for 23 years, during which time the group became one of the most celebrated chamber ensembles in the world. The quartet performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and they recorded numerous albums that received critical acclaim. Carlyss was known for his precise and expressive playing, and he was widely regarded as one of the finest violinists of his generation. During his time with the Juilliard String Quartet, Carlyss also taught at the Juilliard School and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was a dedicated and passionate educator, and he inspired countless young musicians to pursue careers in classical music. Many of his students went on to become successful performers and teachers in their own right. In 1983, Carlyss left the Juilliard String Quartet to pursue a solo career. He continued to perform and teach, and he also became involved in various musical organizations. He served as the president of the American String Teachers Association from 1992 to 1994, and he was a member of the board of directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Carlyss received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1976, he was awarded the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, which is given to outstanding young chamber musicians. He was also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Award, and he was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Carlyss continued to perform and teach until his death on December 11, 2018, at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential violinists of his time, and his contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

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