Szymon Goldberg

Szymon Goldberg, born on June first, nineteen oh nine, in Włocławek, Congress Poland, was a distinguished Polish-born Jewish classical violinist and conductor who later became an American citizen. His musical journey began in Warsaw, where he learned the violin under the tutelage of Henryk Czaplinski and Mieczysław Michałowicz, both of whom were students of renowned violinists. At the age of eight, he moved to Berlin to study with the legendary Carl Flesch, further honing his craft.

Goldberg's early career was marked by significant achievements, including a recital in Warsaw in nineteen twenty-one and a debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in nineteen twenty-four, where he performed three concertos. He served as concertmaster of the Dresden Philharmonic from nineteen twenty-five to nineteen twenty-nine and was later appointed concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic by Wilhelm Furtwängler, a position he held from nineteen thirty to nineteen thirty-four. During this period, he collaborated with notable musicians, including Paul Hindemith and Emanuel Feuermann.

The rise of the Third Reich forced Goldberg to leave the Berlin Philharmonic in nineteen thirty-four, despite Furtwängler's efforts to protect Jewish members. He subsequently toured Europe with pianist Lili Kraus and made his American debut at Carnegie Hall in nineteen thirty-eight. In the former Netherlands East Indies, he formed the Goldberg Quartet, which toured Java before the Japanese invasion. His first wife, a talented artist, was interned during this tumultuous time.

After a brief tour in Australia in nineteen forty-six, Goldberg settled in the United States, becoming a naturalized citizen in nineteen fifty-three. He taught at prestigious institutions such as the Aspen Music School, Yale University, and the Juilliard School, while also conducting the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra from nineteen fifty-five to nineteen seventy-nine. His later years included conducting the New Japan Philharmonic until his death in nineteen ninety-three in Toyama, Japan.

Goldberg's legacy includes numerous recordings, particularly celebrated collaborations with Lili Kraus and Artur Balsam. The Berlin Philharmonic honored him in a tribute, recognizing his exceptional artistry in the works of Bach and Mozart. He was known for his exquisite tone and poise, earning the title of the finest Mozart violinist of his time. His prized possession, the "Baron Vitta" Giuseppe Guarneri violin, was bequeathed to the Library of Congress after his passing.