Nathan Kaproff is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Born on August 22, 1933, in New York City, Kaproff grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Morris Kaproff, was a cellist, and his mother, Lillian Kaproff, was a pianist. From a young age, Kaproff showed a keen interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of six. Kaproff's talent was evident from the start, and he quickly became a prodigy. He studied under some of the most renowned violinists of his time, including Ivan Galamian and Jascha Heifetz. He also studied composition with Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and conducting with Pierre Monteux. In 1951, Kaproff made his debut as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. The performance was a huge success, and Kaproff was hailed as a rising star in the classical music world. He went on to perform with many other major orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Kaproff's career as a soloist was marked by many highlights. In 1955, he performed the Brahms Violin Concerto with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. The performance was recorded and released on LP, becoming one of the most popular classical recordings of the time. In 1960, Kaproff performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Charles Munch. The performance was also recorded and released on LP, receiving critical acclaim. In addition to his career as a soloist, Kaproff was also a sought-after chamber musician. He performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Juilliard String Quartet, the Guarneri Quartet, and the Beaux Arts Trio. He also founded his own chamber ensemble, the Kaproff Ensemble, which performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Kaproff's contributions to the world of music were not limited to his performances as a soloist and chamber musician. He was also a respected teacher and conductor. He taught at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music for over 30 years, where he was the chair of the string department. He also conducted many orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. Throughout his career, Kaproff received many awards and honors. In 1956, he was awarded the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation Award, which is given to outstanding young musicians. In 1961, he was awarded the Prix International du Disque for his recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. In 1983, he was awarded the Los Angeles Music Center's Distinguished Artist Award. In 1993, he was awarded the USC Thornton School of Music's Ramo Music Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Kaproff's legacy as a musician and teacher continues to inspire generations of musicians. He passed away on December 31, 2016, at the age of 83. His contributions to the world of music will always be remembered and celebrated.

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