Armenian-Canadian violinist Gerard Kantarjian has died — age 90.
Kantarjian served as Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra between 1967 and 1970.
He also held the same positions with the Canadian Opera Company orchestra 1977-79 and later with 1982-9 with the Chamber Players of Toronto.
Born in Cairo, he was originally hired at the TSO by Music Director Seiji Ozawa. Later in life, he began teaching at the University of Toronto in 1984. He also taught at the Orford Arts Centre and the biennial Canadian Festival of Youth Orchestras in Banff.
Career Highlights
- He was a child prodigy in Egypt and played his first solo with an orchestra when he was just six years old.
- He placed 11th in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Competition in 1959.
- Performed as a soloist with over 20 US orchestras.
- Served as concertmaster for a single season with Leopold Stokowski’s American Symphony Orchestra.
- As a chamber musician, he recorded many albums, including five albums with The Rembrandt Trio.
- Concertmaster at the TSO (1967-70) and the COC (1977-79).
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