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Samuel DushkinAmerican violinist of Russian origin.
Date of Birth: 13.12.1891
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Training Under Leopold Auer
- Collaborations with Prokofiev and Stravinsky
- Author and Editor
Early Life and Education
William Duškin was born into a Jewish family in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, to William (a doctor) and Rahel Stravilian Duškin. At an early age, he displayed extraordinary musical talent, particularly in violin playing.
Training Under Leopold Auer
Recognizing his son's exceptional abilities, Duškin's parents took him to New York City, where he began studying violin under the legendary Leopold Auer. Auer, a renowned master of violin instruction, had previously trained renowned violinists like Jascha Heifetz and Mischa Elman. Under Auer's tutelage, Duškin's technique and musicianship flourished.
Collaborations with Prokofiev and Stravinsky
Duškin established a close relationship with Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Together with French violinist Robert Soëtens, Duškin performed the world premiere of Prokofiev's Sonata for Two Violins in 1931.
Duškin's collaboration with Igor Stravinsky was equally significant. Stravinsky dedicated his Violin Concerto to Duškin and conducted its premiere in 1931. The two musicians subsequently embarked on a concert tour together, during which Stravinsky composed the Grand Duo Concertant for Violin and Piano.
Author and Editor
In addition to his performing career, Duškin was an accomplished author. He wrote several instructional manuals on violin playing, sharing his insights and techniques with aspiring violinists.
Duškin also edited and published numerous Baroque and Viennese Classical violin works. Some of these works, attributed to composers such as Johann Georg Benda, were later discovered to have been written by Duškin himself. Among his notable contributions is the now-famous "Grave" attributed to Benda.
