Birth

:

February 19, 1934 in Newark, NJ

Death

:

March 30, 2018 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Michael Tree was born on April 19, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey. He was raised in a musical family, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. At the age of three, Tree began playing the violin, but he soon switched to the viola, which would become his primary instrument. Tree's talent was evident from a young age, and he began studying with the renowned violist William Primrose at the age of 14. He went on to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Primrose and other notable musicians such as Efrem Zimbalist and Josef Hofmann. After graduating from Curtis, Tree joined the Guarneri Quartet in 1964, which would become one of the most celebrated string quartets in the world. The quartet consisted of Tree on viola, Arnold Steinhardt and John Dalley on violin, and David Soyer on cello. They quickly gained a reputation for their impeccable musicianship and innovative interpretations of classical works. Throughout his career with the Guarneri Quartet, Tree performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. They also recorded numerous albums, including a complete cycle of Beethoven's string quartets. In addition to his work with the Guarneri Quartet, Tree was also a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also collaborated with other notable musicians such as pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Tree's contributions to classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1979, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. He was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1984. After retiring from the Guarneri Quartet in 2002, Tree continued to perform and teach. He was a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music, where he had studied as a young musician. He also served as the artistic director of the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival in Maine. Tree passed away on March 30, 2018, at the age of 83. His legacy as a musician and educator continues to inspire generations of classical musicians.

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