Tributes to the unforgettable Ivry Gitlis, who died today

He was one of the last soloists to be known to everyone by his first name, and he was everybody’s friend. A sense of bereavement stretches across the world of music – and this for a man of 98 who had not been seen outdoors all year.

He had a visit on December 5th from Martha Argerich and received many calls through the month from old friends. He asked the nurse this morning for a glass of water and was gone as it arrived.

So very, very sad to have to accept the passing of the great, the unique, the so deeply loveable, glorious, the irreplaceable (and frequently impossible!) Ivry Gitlis. There’ll never be another like him… pic.twitter.com/nj5TEk3p8J

— Steven Isserlis (@StevenIsserlis) December 24, 2020

Such sad news about Ivry Gitlis. I was lucky enough to interview and hang out with him a few times. He was charming, hilarious, wise, poetic, and often difficult and contrary – in person as in his playing. One of the few who deserves the word ‘unique’.https://t.co/aAvfoQ1HyM pic.twitter.com/KgFnevb6T0

— Ariane Todes (@ArianeTodes) December 24, 2020

Farewell dearest Ivry ♥ #RIP pic.twitter.com/feOUN6oCxL

— Janine Jansen (@janineviolinist) December 24, 2020

Ivry Gitlis has died. What an incredible and hilarious soul. The last time I saw him at a Paris dinner party he made me laugh so hard that I needed to spit out my food, gave an impromptu violin lesson, and then proceeded to hit on my wife (at 94 years old). RIP

— James Gaffigan (@jamesgaffigan) December 24, 2020

Bon Voyage to #ivrygitlis..The #Violin Legend, the extraordinary #artist, the unique personality loved by all his #friends and audiences all around the world..You will be missed..#violinist #music #musicislife #musicians #MarthaArgerich #argerich #theodosiantokou #ClassicalMusic pic.twitter.com/VGPuTdnA93

— Theodosia Ntokou (@TheodosiaPiano) December 24, 2020