Birth

:

February 19, 1922 in Tulsa, OK

Death

:

August 20, 2017 in Houston, TX

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Fredell Lack was an American violinist who was born on October 1, 1922, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the daughter of Russian immigrants who had settled in Texas. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a pianist, so music was a part of her life from an early age. Lack began playing the violin when she was just four years old. She showed a natural talent for the instrument and quickly progressed. By the time she was eight years old, she was already performing in public. She studied with several teachers, including Efrem Zimbalist, who was one of the most famous violinists of the time. In 1937, when Lack was just 15 years old, she won the National Music Contest in Chicago. This was a major achievement for such a young musician, and it helped to launch her career. She went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she was a student of Efrem Zimbalist. Lack made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1941, when she was just 19 years old. She played the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, and her performance was well-received. This was the beginning of a long and successful career as a soloist. Over the years, Lack performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also performed in many countries around the world, including Japan, Australia, and Europe. One of the highlights of Lack's career was her performance at the White House in 1963. She was invited to play for President John F. Kennedy and his guests, and she played the Brahms Violin Concerto. This was a great honor for Lack, and it helped to raise her profile even further. Lack was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at several universities, including the University of Houston and the University of North Texas. She was known for her rigorous teaching style and her ability to bring out the best in her students. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as musicians. In addition to her performing and teaching, Lack was also a philanthropist. She established the Fredell Lack Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to young musicians. She was also involved in many other charitable organizations, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Lack received many awards and honors over the course of her career. In 1986, she was awarded the Texas Medal of Arts, which is the highest honor given to artists in the state of Texas. She was also inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1989. Lack continued to perform and teach well into her 80s. She passed away on August 7, 2017, at the age of 94. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest violinists of her generation, as well as a dedicated teacher and philanthropist. Her contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for many years to come.

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