Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that Music@Menlo acknowledges the passing of one of the greatest musicians of our time: violinist, conductor and teacher Joseph Silverstein, who graced our festival with his presence and performances in 2005 and 2006. He passed away Saturday night at the age of 83 at his home in the Berkshires.
Joseph (“Joey”) Silverstein was a consummate musician who was universally revered. His vast assets included: the technique and beauty of sound of the highest level violin virtuoso, stemming from the golden era of violin playing of Heifetz, Milstein and Kreisler; a complete knowledge of the orchestral repertoire from his twenty-two years as distinguished concertmaster and later Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; his expertise as an artistic leader resulting from his position as Music Director of the Utah Symphony from 1983 to 1998; his deep knowledge of chamber music through his experience as a founding member of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players (along with Music@Menlo pianist Gilbert Kalish); and his far-reaching influence as a faculty member of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Tanglewood Music Center.
Memorable from Joey’s appearances at our festival were his elegant renditions of Mozart Violin Sonatas (along with his regular duo colleague, pianist Derek Han), and his definitive performance of Beethoven’s Septet, captured on the Music@Menlo LIVE releases for 2005.
Music@Menlo conveys its sympathies to the Silverstein family, and to all those whose lives and careers were touched by his supreme artistry.
Wu Han and David Finckel