Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 3, 1916 in Newark, NJ

Death

:

May 13, 2011 in Wellfleet, MA

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Bernard Greenhouse was a renowned cellist who was born on January 3, 1916, in Newark, New Jersey. He was the youngest of four children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Greenhouse showed an early interest in music and began playing the cello at the age of nine. Greenhouse's talent was quickly recognized, and he was accepted into the Juilliard School of Music in New York City at the age of 16. He studied under the renowned cellist Felix Salmond and graduated in 1936. After graduation, Greenhouse began his professional career as a cellist, performing with various orchestras and chamber groups. In 1946, Greenhouse became a founding member of the Beaux Arts Trio, one of the most celebrated chamber groups of the 20th century. The trio consisted of Greenhouse on cello, pianist Menahem Pressler, and violinist Daniel Guilet. The group quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional musicianship and innovative programming. Over the course of his career, Greenhouse performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He also collaborated with many of the world's most renowned musicians, including pianist Rudolf Serkin and violinist Isaac Stern. Greenhouse was known for his warm, rich tone and his impeccable technique. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many works by contemporary composers, including Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein. In addition to his performing career, Greenhouse was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Manhattan School of Music, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as cellists, including Carter Brey, principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic. Greenhouse received many awards and honors over the course of his career. In 1986, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan. He was also awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in 2000, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. Greenhouse continued to perform and teach well into his 90s. He passed away on May 13, 2011, at the age of 95. His legacy as one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century lives on through his recordings and the many students he taught over the course of his career.

More....