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Adolph KoldofskyCanadian violinist of Russian-Jewish descent
Date of Birth: 13.09.1905
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Paul Koldofsky: A Russian-Jewish Violinist's Journey
- Career in Czechoslovakia and Toronto
- Second Violin in Hart House Quartet and Research
- Relocation to Los Angeles
Paul Koldofsky: A Russian-Jewish Violinist's Journey
Early Life and EducationPaul Koldofsky, a Canadian violinist of Russian-Jewish descent, was born in Ukraine. In 1910, he immigrated to Canada with his family but later returned to Europe to pursue violin studies under Eugène Ysaÿe and Otakar Ševčík.
Career in Czechoslovakia and Toronto
After spending time in Czechoslovakia, where he was the first violinist in Ševčík's string quartet, Koldofsky returned to Toronto. He performed intermittently with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 1923 to 1938.
Second Violin in Hart House Quartet and Research
During his tenure with the Hart House Quartet from 1938 to 1942, Koldofsky dedicated himself to deciphering the musical manuscripts of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. In 1943, he conducted a series of seven radio broadcasts featuring five of Bach's keyboard concertos, which had not been performed in over 150 years. Wanda Landowska played the solo piano parts.
Relocation to Los Angeles
In 1945, Koldofsky moved to Los Angeles with his wife, pianist Gwendolyn Williams Koldofsky. He achieved a notable milestone in his career by premiering Arnold Schoenberg's late works, the String Trio (Op. 45) and Fantasy for Violin and Piano (Op. 47), both dedicated to Koldofsky. This concert coincided with Schoenberg's 75th birthday.
