Marty’s blog

Joseph Szigeti was know as “the violinist’s violinist”.

I have of a copy of his hard to find autobiography “With Strings Attached”.  It’s a good read actually, with lots of fine anecdotes and life lessons, as well as an interesting life story.

(Among other interesting tidbits, he describes giving up his seat on a plane in 1942, during World War Two, to actress Carole Lombard, who was doing a tour promoting war bonds.  That plane crashed into a mountainside in Nevada on its way from Indiana to California.)

Szigeti’s hands started developing arthritis in his 50’s which later became crippling, and he had to end his career. Even during his early arthritis he still performed wonderfully, his art never suffering.

Though there are many, I think he was the violinist that has influenced me the most.  And still does.  He showed that a violinist’s art goes well beyond the fingers of the left hand. This was a great lesson when I had to relearn the fiddle after a serious left hand injury. I’m no great soloist, but I can at least again make a living at it.  Most of his 78 recordings are in my collection and are still cherished and well played.

This performance is of a movement from the D Major Prokofiev Sonata the was from very late in his career.

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