Los Angeles's thriving chamber music ecosystem is inextricable from its history. Plus: What Gustavo Dudamel's exit from the L.A. Phil means, how to navigate the art fair bonanza, and more in this week's newsletter.
Upon arriving at the Poznan (Poland) airport, a traveler with a love for classical music cannot help but notice a name emblazoned in large letters on the aerodrome: Henryk Wieniawski. A century after the birth of Poland’s beloved 19th century violin virtuoso and composer, the violin competition that bears his name was inaugurated. That first iconic session back in 1935 boasted a stellar list of prize winners. Ginette Neveu, David Oistrakh and Henri Temianka were awarded the top three prizes with the seven-year-old Ida Haendel winning the seventh place and Hollywood’s prize violinist Bronislaw Gimpel taking the ninth place.
First violinist Jim Sitterly was classically trained, and classic individual
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Concertmaster Jim Sitterly performed on stage, in film, and all over the Peninsula
by Erin Waldner
Painter Dan Pinkham met violinist Jim Sitterly on the school bus when the two were growing up in Palos Verdes.
“I knew him as the blonde kid on the bus who carried a violin case,” Pinkham said. “That was unusual then.”
A poster for a performance by Jim Sitterly of his violin concerto, conducted by celebrated movie score composer Elmer Berstein
“His sister claims when Jim was six, he saw Jack Benny on TV and he was funny and he played the violin. Jim wanted to play the violin like Jack Benny,” Pinkham said. “That was his world then.” Pinkham said.