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Composer Performer

 

Gloria Justen was born on May 12, 1950, in New York City. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a violinist. Gloria showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of four. She received her first lessons from her father and later studied with renowned violinists such as Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay. Gloria's talent was evident from a young age, and she quickly gained recognition as a prodigy. She made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 12, playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. This performance was widely praised, and Gloria was hailed as a rising star in the classical music world. Over the next few years, Gloria continued to perform with major orchestras and conductors around the world. She made her European debut in 1965, playing with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Colin Davis. She also performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, among others. In addition to her orchestral performances, Gloria was also a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. She performed regularly with pianist Emanuel Ax, and the duo recorded several albums together. She also collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Isaac Stern, among others. Throughout her career, Gloria was known for her technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. She was particularly admired for her interpretations of the works of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Her performances were marked by a deep emotional intensity and a profound understanding of the music she played. Gloria's career was not without its challenges, however. In the early 1970s, she suffered a serious injury to her left hand, which threatened to end her career. She underwent extensive rehabilitation and was eventually able to return to performing, although she had to make some adjustments to her technique. Despite this setback, Gloria continued to perform at the highest level. She received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 1978 and the National Medal of Arts in 1994. She was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2005. One of Gloria's most memorable performances took place in 1987, when she played the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Georg Solti. This performance was recorded and released on CD, and it remains one of the definitive recordings of the work. Another highlight of Gloria's career was her performance at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. She played the Norwegian national anthem at the opening ceremony, accompanied by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. This performance was seen by millions of people around the world and helped to raise the profile of classical music on the international stage. Gloria continued to perform and record well into the 21st century. She released several albums on the Sony Classical label, including a recording of the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. She also continued to collaborate with other musicians, including pianist Lang Lang and conductor Daniel Barenboim. In addition to her performing career, Gloria was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at the Juilliard School in New York City for many years and was known for her rigorous and demanding approach to teaching.

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