Birth

:

1905

Death

:

1994

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Louis Kaufman was an American violinist who was born on May 10, 1905, in Portland, Oregon. He was the youngest of six children in a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Kaufman showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of four. He was a child prodigy and gave his first public performance at the age of six. Kaufman's family moved to San Francisco when he was eight years old, and he continued his musical studies with the renowned violinist Louis Persinger. Persinger recognized Kaufman's talent and arranged for him to study with the legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz. Kaufman studied with Heifetz for several years and became one of his closest friends. Kaufman made his professional debut at the age of 13, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. He continued to perform with the orchestra throughout his teenage years and became known for his virtuosic playing and musical sensitivity. In 1924, Kaufman moved to New York City to study at the Juilliard School of Music. He continued to perform regularly and became a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. He also began to record for RCA Victor and Columbia Records, making some of the first recordings of works by American composers such as Aaron Copland and George Gershwin. Kaufman's career reached new heights in the 1930s and 1940s. He performed with many of the leading orchestras in the United States, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also toured extensively in Europe and Asia, performing in major concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Kaufman was known for his commitment to contemporary music and premiered many works by American composers. He worked closely with composers such as Copland, Samuel Barber, and William Schuman, and was a champion of their music. He also collaborated with many other musicians, including the pianist Arthur Rubinstein and the cellist Pablo Casals. Kaufman's playing was characterized by its technical brilliance and emotional depth. He was praised for his beautiful tone and expressive phrasing, and his performances were often described as "spellbinding" and "transcendent." He was also known for his dedication to teaching and mentored many young musicians throughout his career. Kaufman received many honors and awards throughout his career. In 1947, he was awarded the prestigious Ditson Conductor's Award for his contributions to American music. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1987, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Kaufman continued to perform and record well into his 80s. He died on February 9, 1994, at the age of 88. His legacy as a musician and advocate for contemporary music lives on through his recordings and the many musicians he mentored throughout his career.

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