Israel mourns formative concertmaster, 99
RIPThe revered violinist Haim Taub, concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic for two decandes until 1988, died today at the age of 99.
A student of Oedoen Partos at the Tel Aviv Academy and then of Ivan Galamian at Juilliard, Taub joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra before returning home to Israel in 1959. Over time, he became the country’s foremost violin teacher, with many international students.
UPDATE: Gilad Karni writes:
For Chaim, teaching was an act of love. He had a way of making each of us feel seen, heard, and understood, whether it was about a musical challenge or something much bigger, something deeply personal. He was the kind of person who always had an open ear and a kind word. His advice transcended the classroom or studio—it reached into the core of what it means to live with purpose and passion.
Rest in peace Haim. Amazing musician with an amazing approach to tone and music phrasing.
Yet at the same time he was greedy, vicious to students who dared leave him and abusive.
The good and the bad. Haim was One of a kind.
There’s no one I can think of so many wonderful yet horrible qualities.