Toronto mourns concertmaster
mainMessage from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra:
The TSO mourns the passing of the great Armenian-Canadian violinist Gerard Kantarjian. Invited to be TSO Concertmaster by Music Director Seiji Ozawa in 1967, Kantarjian held the post until 1970. Soloist, teacher, and chamber musician, he was beloved in the music community.
he was my idol when I grew up in Alexandria Egypt. One of the greatest Egyptian Armenian violinist. God bless his soul, amen.
I was very upset the moment I heard the very sad news.
Gerard was not just a great violinist but he was a bigger than life musician that performed equally at the highest standards as a soloist, orchestra leader, chamber music and was a first class teacher to generations.
His playing was up there with the great ones and his bow arm was the envy of most violinists.
A kind soul that loved nothing more than play his violin and inspire anyone around to fall in love with the violin and music !!
He will be remembered by all the wonderful decades that he provided so many of us in Canada and abroad with a very dignified representation of his adopted country that he enjoyed so much.
Gerard Kantarjian was a marvelous violinist and a marvelous person. It was my privilege to know him.
Gerard was a great violinist and friend.
Will be missed…