* Gifted Violinists Followed by a Tragic Fate
There is genius who has died young in every field. For example, as you know, James Dean at the motion-picture world, JIMI Hendrix at the rock music world. While much was expected in the future, there were violinists who followed tragic fate also on a violin field. Then, I introduce three persons whom I want you to keep it in mind very much.
Ginette Neveu is one of legendary woman violinists. When she did not fulfill her teens, she already held the concert. Famous teachers were surprised at and loved her talent. When she was 7 years old, there was the following conversation at Enesco's lesson. Enesco stopped her performing Bach's music and said, "I do not perform such." Then, Neveu answered "I perform as I understood." Enesco smiled sweetly and made it continue. Flesch said "You have a gift from God" and "all I can do for you is only technical advice." Neveu participated in the Wieniawski contest at the age of 16, was accompanied by 27-year-old Oistrakh at the 2nd place, and won the victory.
By the time war broke out in 1939, she had already received enthusiastic support among the countries of all Europe. Neveu was the player with a very free style who is not caught by the school. She held the bow like Heifetz at a certain time, and the other time like Thibaud. Although the audience was surprised, for her, this action was only what adopts the required way of holding, when required. Although she came to perform actively again after the war, the airplane which went to the United States crashed and she was gone in the sea with Stradivari, her best partner, on October 28, 1949. It was too early death in the top of a success.
Michael Rabin---The United States produced a violinist with the wonderful talent about the middle of the 20th century. Is there any player who can perform Zigeunerweisen more perfectly else? He showed no futility in a phrasing, excelent one-bow-staccato and completely controlled left-hand-pizzicato, and had perfect intonation. One of the greatest teachers in the 20th century Ivan Galamian said like this. "He had almost extraordinary talent - no weakness, never!" Despite of short recording career, for only a decade from 14 years old to 24 years old, he left a recorded legacy that could well be the envy of violinists with careers more than twice as long. He recorded many great works; Paganini, Sarasate, etc.; twice. He shows us wonderful performance in the recordings especially after 20 years old. He got away from performance activities gradually after that, and died mysteriously in 1972, when he was 35 years old.
Lastly, let me introduce Japanese Shigeo Watanabe. When he did not fulfill his teens, he was already famous as a prodigy in Japan. He was extolled by Heifetz who visited Japan. Heifetz recommended Watanabe studying abroad to Juilliard School of Music strongly. Since his father who taught Shigeo the violin was the eager researcher of Heifetz's teacher Auer's teaching methods, Auer's greatest follower Heifetz's recommendation meant determination. However, nobody regarded it as becoming tragic opening at that time. Galamian under whom Shigeo studied in Juilliard was the educator who promoted the modernistic and rational performing method. On the other hand, Shigeo believed in the Auer school strongly and already established complete style. The difference of their opinion was not able to be adjusted. Shigeo began to miss gradually the meaning of his coming to the United States. Seemingly, this boy who came from the defeated nation was not welcomed by the rivals since it was postwar delicate time. Anyway, he could not play the violin, when he returned to Japan.
In the peaceful present age, such a tragedy may not happen any longer.
Is it only a longing for the good old days that I think the violinist who lived in the tumultuous time and who held internal conflict has peculiar dreadfulness?
