Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Joseph Roisman was a renowned classical music artist who was born on May 22, 1916, in Kiev, Ukraine. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents recognized his musical talent at a young age. Roisman began playing the violin when he was just four years old, and by the time he was six, he was already performing in public. In 1923, Roisman's family moved to the United States, settling in New York City. Roisman continued his musical education, studying with some of the most prominent violin teachers of the time, including Leopold Auer and Ivan Galamian. He also attended the Juilliard School, where he studied with Louis Persinger. Roisman's talent as a violinist quickly became apparent, and he began performing professionally while still a teenager. In 1935, he joined the NBC Symphony Orchestra, where he played under the direction of Arturo Toscanini. He remained with the orchestra until 1942, when he was drafted into the United States Army. During his time in the army, Roisman continued to play the violin, performing for his fellow soldiers and participating in USO shows. After the war, he returned to New York and resumed his career as a professional musician. In 1947, Roisman joined the Budapest Quartet, one of the most renowned string quartets of the time. He played second violin in the quartet, which also included first violinist Josef Roisman (no relation), violist Boris Kroyt, and cellist Mischa Schneider. The quartet quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional musicianship and their ability to interpret the works of composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms. Over the next several decades, the Budapest Quartet performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, earning critical acclaim and a devoted following. They recorded numerous albums, including complete cycles of the Beethoven and Mozart string quartets. In addition to his work with the Budapest Quartet, Roisman also performed as a soloist and as a member of other ensembles. He was a founding member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and he also played with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Throughout his career, Roisman received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1977, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Jimmy Carter, and in 1983, he was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. Roisman continued to perform and teach until his death on February 25, 2005, at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and respected violinists of his generation, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight classical music lovers around the world.

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