Death of a much-loved US pianist, 76

Death of a much-loved US pianist, 76

RIP

norman lebrecht

March 31, 2022

We have been informed of the death, from pancreatic cancer, of the international pianist Joseph Kalichstein, known to all friends as Yossi.

Born in Tel Aviv and trained at Juilliard, Kalichstein balanced a busy career as concerto soloist with a calendar of chamber music with the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. Humorous and unassuming, he also taught at Juilliard for almost 40 years.

More tributes here.

Comments

  • David J Hyslop says:

    Great loss, great artist and even greater person . I cherish my times working with him.

  • John Gingrich says:

    Much-loved sums it right up. We’ll all miss him.

  • Leonard Slatkin says:

    If you go to the dictionary and look up the word, “Mensch”, there will be a picture of Yossi. A true musician’s musician and divine human being.

  • Jeffrey Biegel says:

    He was a model person, consummate musician and ambassador to music. We met on a flight to Oslo in 1988 when he was set to be a juror for a competition I was a participant in. He was encouraging and kind, which helped ease anxiety knowing his friendly ears and heart were there. His kindness and stellar artistry are engraved in the history and continuum of piano playing.

  • Yossi fan says:

    He was 76

  • Don Ciccio says:

    RIP Yossi.

  • Jack says:

    A tremendous loss. I came to know much of the chamber music repertoire through him and his colleagues. Thank goodness we have that recorded legacy. R.I.P.

  • Lev says:

    He will be sorely missed as a pianist, teacher and human being!❤️✡️

  • Edith Kraft says:

    Yossi and I both studied with Edward Steuermann at Juilliard the same time . We remained friends ever since. I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a great musician and as Leonard wrote a true “Mensch”. Rest In Peace dear Yossi. You will be missed.

  • Sara Davis Buechner says:

    A magnificent artist and humble musician, as well as a beloved friend. RIP dear Yossi.

  • James Conlon says:

    À dearly beloved friend of 49 years. Great musician, colleague and teacher and the most loyal and generous of friends, a truly loving husband, father and grandfather. As Leonard so aptly said, there is no more splendid example of a mensch.

  • Menahem Pressler says:

    I am deeply sad to loose a wonderful friend and superb musician. A terrible loss for us all

  • Shalom Rackovsky says:

    …..ברוך דיין האמת

  • DAVID TAYLOR says:

    He played at my entrance exam at the Juilliard school back in the late 60s. Boy was I lucky! He will be missed.

  • Dr. Marshall Thomas says:

    Tremendous loss to us all…

  • Daniel madigan says:

    A brilliant artist. Deserves all the bravos that exist

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