Acclaimed violinist Jacques Israelievitch, who enjoyed a storied international career as a soloist, conductor and teacher, died of lung cancer Saturday in Toronto.
He was 67.
Israelievitch was a pillar of the international arts community. He had numerous solo engagements to his credit, appeared with many of the world’s major orchestras, and, as a distinguished chamber musician, performed with pianists Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Born in Cannes, France, and raised in Paris and LeMans, Israelievitch made his French National Radio debut at the young age of 11, and graduated from the Paris Conservatory at 16. He began his orchestral career at age 23 as the assistant concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and was later named concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony, a position he held for 10 seasons.
For 20 years, Israelievitch served as concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra – the longest tenure for a leader in its history. He was also a founding member of the Toronto Symphony Quartet and the ISA (Israelievitch/Smith/Ahn) Trio, and appeared for many seasons with the Naumburg Award-winning New Arts Trio at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York.
Among his more recent achievements was a successful duo partnership with pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico. The two launched their first duo CD, Fancies and Interludes, earlier this year, featuring music by four established Canadian composers. They also recorded all 28 Mozart sonatas for violin and piano, a project which Israelievitch completed despite severe pain and growing weakness. The multi-CD set will begin releasing in early 2016.
Israelievitch’s discography of more than 100 albums also includes the JUNO-nominated Suite Hébraique with pianist John Greer, Tchaikovsky: The Ballets with the St. Louis Symphony, Beethoven’s Romances with the TSO; and the chamber recordings Suite Française, Suite Enfantine, Suite Fantaisie, Solo Suite, and Hammer and Bow. In 2006, he broke new ground by releasing the first complete recording of 42 Studies for Solo Violin by Rodolphe Kreutzer.
In late February, Israelievitch was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. On Aug. 14, he was presented with the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian orders, in light of his outstanding achievement in the arts, as well as his dedication to the community and service to the nation. In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musicians’ Association in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the performing arts in Canada.
Israelievitch is survived by his beloved wife Gabrielle, his sons David, Michael, and Joshua, and his two grandchildren, Aya and Bennett, all of whom were reportedly at his side in his final weeks. His mother and remaining sister and brother live in Paris.
Donations in memory of Jacques Israelievitch may be made to the Jacques Israelievitch Endowment for Violin/Viola and Interdisciplinary Arts at York University.
