MAX ROSTAL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27676, 4 June 1955, Page 3

MAX ROSTAL

Celebrated Austrian

Violinist

CHRISTCHURCH VISIT THIS MONTH

Child prodigies who win public acclaim are not rare, but prodigies who make an appearance on the stage of internatioital entertainment and who still hold their places after half a century are few and far between. One 1? I , Austrian-born violinist, Max Rostal, who will give three perform??ces in Christchurch this month. Max Rostal started to play the violin at the age of five, and after a year s tuition, began a tour of Central Europe. Today, 50,years later, he is famous as a soloist in many countries (he has visited more than tWo dozen) but in New Zealand his name is most often seen on title stickers of hundreds of different recordings. He is a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and teaches private pupils from many foreign countries. In London he directs, conducts and plays as a soloist with his own chamber orchestra, whose violin and viola players are all his pupils. He is also frequently invited to serve as British representative on the juries of many national and international competitions.

Ope of the finest Stradivari violins m existance was acquired by Mr Rostal some time ago. Made in 1697 it is now known throughout the world as the “Rostal Strad.” Mr Rostal uses the instrument alternately with another famous violin, a Guamerius del Gesu, called the “Charles Reade.” Study Under Noted Tutors Born in Teschan in 1905, Mr Rostal received all his musical education in Austria and Germany. As a child, he performed at the Austrian Court, and then went to study under Arnold Rose the leader of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. A later tutor was Carl Flesch.

Mr Rostal won the coverted Mendlessohn Prize at the Berlin State Academy, and after successful tours of Europe, . became Carl Flesch’s official assistant. In 1929 he was appointed professor at the Berlin Academy, but in 1934 he was dismissed by the Nazi Party, and settled in England. He was followed by a number of pupils who wished to continue their studies with him.

On June 9, Mr Rostal will give a recital under the auspices of the Christchurch Chamber Music Society in the Civic Theatre, and another on June 11 under the auspices of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Both appearances will be with the pianist Colin Horsley. Mr Rostal will give a solo public recital in Christchurch on June 30. His accompanist will be Maurice Till.