Sudden death of violin legend, 88

We have been notified of the death this morning in Hungary of the outstanding violinist and beloved teacher György Pauk. He turned 88 last month and was still teaching a course at the Liszt Academy the week before last.

Pauk fled Hungary for Holland in 1956. Five years later he was persuaded by Yehudi Menuhin to live in London, where he played with all the major orchestras and their chief conductors, while also acting as a fulcrum for the city’s chamber music scene. A charming man with a ready smile and gentle wit, he was professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music from 1987. He retired from the stage in 2007.

He suffered a fall in Budapest nine days ago and never recovered from the effects.

His recorded legacy is immense, his personality ireplaceable.