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Alexandre BarjanskyRussian musician, virtuoso cellist.
Date of Birth: 16.12.1883
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Alexander Barjansky: Virtuoso Cellist and Stradivarius Master
- Debut and Acclaim
- Musical Legacy
- Personal Life and Influence
- Later Years and Legacy
Alexander Barjansky: Virtuoso Cellist and Stradivarius Master
Early Life and EducationAlexander Barjansky was born on December 16, 1883, in Odessa, Russia. Initially pursuing mathematics, he simultaneously studied cello at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig under Julius Klengel.
Debut and Acclaim
Barjansky made his debut in London on June 28, 1909, at St James's Hall. His extraordinary talent was recognized through performances with the London Symphony Orchestra and the debut of Antonín Dvořák's Cello Concerto at Queen's Hall.
Musical Legacy
Barjansky was the inspiration behind Ernest Bloch's Cello Concerto "Schelomo," which vividly showcases the instrument's capabilities. In 1923, he premiered Frederick Delius's Cello Concerto in Vienna. His legacy continues to live through the "Barjansky Stradivarius," a renowned cello crafted by Antonio Stradivari and played by Barjansky throughout the first half of the 20th century.
Personal Life and Influence
Barjansky married sculptor Katherine Barjansky in 1915. Her autobiography, "Portraits with Backgrounds," provides valuable insights into his life. Composer Eric Fenby described Barjansky as "unusually handsome...with a fine head and a mop of thick long hair." Jelka Delius praised his transformative playing style.
Later Years and Legacy
After retiring from performance, Barjansky focused on teaching. His Stradivarius cello is now in the hands of British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. Barjansky passed away in 1961, leaving behind a legacy as a virtuoso cellist, an inspiration to composers, and a renowned custodian of a legendary instrument.
