Concert Violinist. Born in Rostov-on-Don, the son of Aaron Zimbalist, an orchestra conductor with the Rostov Opera, with whom he began his studies by the age of 9. In 1901, he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied composition with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He earned the school's gold medal, and a prize of 1,200 rubles, upon his graduation in 1907. That same year, he made his solo stage debut in Berlin, followed by a brief European tour. Reviews of his performances were universally good, and sentiments ranged from 'genius' to 'perfection.' He made his American debut in October 1911 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1914, he married noted operatic soprano, Alma Gluck, with whom he toured until her retirement in 1925. They had two children, including a namesake son who eventually made his own mark as an actor. Zimbalist also composed melodies, chamber music, and an opera: 'Landara.' He also won critical praise with the light operetta, 'Honeydew,' which was produced on Broadway in 1920. In 1928, he joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, becoming the head of the department two years later. He was widowed in 1938. In 1941, he was appointed the director of the Institute. In 1943, he married Mary Curtis Bok, founder of the Curtis Institute. His farewell concerts in 1949 and 1950 drew large and appreciative audiences; he was regarded by many as the finest violinist of his generation. He served as jury member for the Moscow Tchaikovsky competitions in 1962 and 1966. He retired from his position at the Curtis Institute in 1968. He completed his last work, a revision of an earlier composition, 'Sarasateana,' in 1984. He continued to play the violin for a half hour every day until his death at 95.
Concert Violinist. Born in Rostov-on-Don, the son of Aaron Zimbalist, an orchestra conductor with the Rostov Opera, with whom he began his studies by the age of 9. In 1901, he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied composition with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He earned the school's gold medal, and a prize of 1,200 rubles, upon his graduation in 1907. That same year, he made his solo stage debut in Berlin, followed by a brief European tour. Reviews of his performances were universally good, and sentiments ranged from 'genius' to 'perfection.' He made his American debut in October 1911 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1914, he married noted operatic soprano, Alma Gluck, with whom he toured until her retirement in 1925. They had two children, including a namesake son who eventually made his own mark as an actor. Zimbalist also composed melodies, chamber music, and an opera: 'Landara.' He also won critical praise with the light operetta, 'Honeydew,' which was produced on Broadway in 1920. In 1928, he joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, becoming the head of the department two years later. He was widowed in 1938. In 1941, he was appointed the director of the Institute. In 1943, he married Mary Curtis Bok, founder of the Curtis Institute. His farewell concerts in 1949 and 1950 drew large and appreciative audiences; he was regarded by many as the finest violinist of his generation. He served as jury member for the Moscow Tchaikovsky competitions in 1962 and 1966. He retired from his position at the Curtis Institute in 1968. He completed his last work, a revision of an earlier composition, 'Sarasateana,' in 1984. He continued to play the violin for a half hour every day until his death at 95.
Bio by: Iola
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Zimbalist memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
