Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Concerto

 

Paul Makanowitzky was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 31, 1907, in Kiev, Ukraine. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a violinist who played in the Kiev Opera Orchestra. Makanowitzky began playing the violin at the age of four, and by the time he was six, he was already performing in public. In 1919, Makanowitzky's family moved to Canada, and he continued his musical education under the tutelage of his father. He made his debut as a soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12, and he went on to study at the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Makanowitzky's talent as a violinist was recognized early on, and he won numerous awards and competitions throughout his career. In 1926, he won the prestigious Eaton Scholarship, which allowed him to study in Europe. He studied with some of the greatest violinists of the time, including Carl Flesch and Jacques Thibaud. Makanowitzky made his European debut in 1928, performing with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He went on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. One of the highlights of Makanowitzky's career was his performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto with the New York Philharmonic in 1943. The performance was conducted by Artur Rodzinski, and it was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Makanowitzky was also a dedicated chamber musician, and he performed with some of the greatest chamber ensembles of the time, including the Budapest Quartet and the Pro Arte Quartet. He was a founding member of the Hart House String Quartet, which was one of Canada's leading chamber ensembles. In addition to his performing career, Makanowitzky was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Toronto Conservatory of Music, the University of Toronto, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as musicians. Makanowitzky was known for his beautiful tone and his impeccable technique. He was a master of the Romantic repertoire, and he was particularly renowned for his performances of the music of Brahms and Tchaikovsky. He was also a champion of contemporary music, and he premiered works by many Canadian composers. Makanowitzky received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1967, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada, and in 1972, he was awarded the Canadian Music Council Medal. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto and the University of Western Ontario. Makanowitzky continued to perform and teach well into his 80s. He passed away on January 28, 1991, at the age of 83. He left behind a legacy as one of Canada's greatest violinists and musicians.

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