Rafael Druian

Rafael Druian(January 20, 1923 – September 6, 2002), was an American violinist,conductorand music educator. He is remembered for his tenures asconcertmasterof theDallas SymphonyandMinneapolis Symphonyunder Antal Dorati, theCleveland OrchestraunderGeorge Szelland theNew York PhilharmonicunderPierre Boulez.

Life and career

Early career

Druian was born inVologda,Russia but immigrated with his parents toHavana,Cuba as an infant. He began his formal music training there as a violinist, studying withAmadeo Roldán,the conductor of the Havana Philharmonic. At age 9, he went to Philadelphia to audition forLeopold Stokowski,who recommended him for a scholarship at theCurtis Institute of Musicwhere he studied withLea LuboshutzandEfrem Zimbalist,graduating in 1942. He then served in theUnited States Armyfrom 1943 to 1946, playing themellophonein theArmy Band.

Concertmaster positions

• Dallas Symphony Orchestra,underAntal Doráti:1947 – 1949
• Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra,underAntal Doráti:1949 – 1960
• Cleveland Orchestra,underGeorge Szell:1960 – 1969
• New York Philharmonic,underPierre Boulez:1971 – 1974

Academic and faculty positions

• University of Minnesota
• Cleveland Institute of Music,Artist in Residence
• California Institute of the Arts,Associate Dean of the Music School, 1969 – 1971
• Blossom Music School
• Kent State University
• State University of New York at Purchase
• University of California, San Diego,Professor of Music, 1974 – 1980
• The Hartt School
• Boston University,1982? – 1989
• Curtis Institute of Music,1990 – 2001

Notable students

• Philip Setzerof theEmerson String Quartet
• Herald Klein
• Solomiya Ivakhiv

Personal life

Druian was married to Phyllis Rugg Druian. They had two sons, Peter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Greg of Portland, Oregon.

Discography

• Robert SchumannViolin Sonata 1 andJohannes BrahmsViolin Sonata 2; Druian (violin); John Simms, (piano); Mercury - MG50091.
• Charles IvesViolin Sonatas 1 and 2; Druian (violin); John Simms, (piano); Mercury - MG50096, MG50097, released in 1957.
• Fritz KreislerFavorites; Druian (violin); John Sims, (piano); Mercury - MG50119A, MG50119B.
• Wolfgang Amadeus MozartSinfonia Concertante, K. 364; Druian (violin); Abraham Skernick (viola); Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell (conductor); Epic/Columbia/CBS/Sony, recorded Nov. 28, 1963; nominated for aGrammy Awardin 1965.
• Wolfgang Amadeus MozartViolin Sonatas, K. 301 & 296; Druian (violin), George Szell (piano) (1967)

External links

• [1]A chronological listing of principal musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra with biographical remarks.
• [2]NY Times obituary.
• [3]Druian plays Kreisler Praeludium and Allegro in the style of Pugnani
• Rafael DruianatAllMusic

Sources

• Donald Rosenburg,Rafael Druian, orchestra concertmaster in 1960s,obituary in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 9, 2002
• Overtones,Philadelphia: Curtis Institute of Music, vol. XVII, no. 2, Fall 2002
• Unpublished biographical notes, John Gingrich Management, Inc., [1989?]