{{Short description|German violinist (1937–2023)}} {{Infobox person | name = Edith Peinemann | image = Edith Peinemann.JPG | caption = Peinemann in the 1960s | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date|1937|3|3|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Mainz]], Germany | death_date = {{death date and age|2023|2|24|1937|3|3|df=yes}} | death_place = | known_for = | occupation = [[violinist]], [[professor]] }}
'''Edith Peinemann''' (3 March 1937 – 25 February 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Süddeutsche Zeitung |title=Traueranzeigen von Edith Peinemann |url=https://trauer.sueddeutsche.de/traueranzeige/edith-peinemann |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=trauer.sueddeutsche.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>) was an internationally recognized German violinist and professor of violin. At age nineteen she won the [[ARD International Music Competition]] in Munich, and made her U.S. debut as soloist in 1962 with [[Max Rudolf (conductor)|Max Rudolf]], after which she became a protégée of [[George Szell]]. In 2005 she became president of the European String Teachers Association.
She made few recordings during her career, making her a "cult figure among violinists." Peinemann is considered one of the world's "finest violinists of her time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/edith-peinemann.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510064723/http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/edith-peinemann.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 10, 2015|title=Edith Peinemann|publisher=Wright Music|first=David C. F.|last=Wright|accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref>
==Career== Peinemann was born in [[Mainz]], Germany,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Zum Tod der Geigerin Edith Peinemann |url=https://www.achgut.com/artikel/zum_tod_der_geigerin_edith_peinemann_ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=www.achgut.com |language=de}}</ref> the daughter of a Mainz orchestra's [[concertmaster]], with whom she learned violin until the age of fourteen.<ref>[[Michael Kennedy (music critic)|Kennedy, Michael]]. ed. ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music'', Oxford University Press (2004) p. 553</ref> She later studied with [[Max Rostal]] in London,<ref name=Charry>Charry, Michael. ''George Szell: A Life of Music'', University of Illinois Press (2011) pp. 210–219</ref><ref name=Wright>Wright, David C. F.,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150510064723/http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/edith-peinemann.pdf "Biography of Edith Peinemann"]}}, article, 2010</ref> and would fulfill the "prophecy of violinist [[Yehudi Menuhin]] who, upon hearing her play when she was 19, predicted a 'brilliant and successful career'."<ref name=Apone />
In 1956, she won the first prize in the International Competition of the German Radio in Munich. At that competition, conductor [[William Steinberg]], who was among the judges, invited her to make her American debut with the [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]], which she did in 1962. Word spread among Germany's conductors, such as [[Max Rudolf (conductor)|Max Rudolf]], about her achievements in the U.S., including her Cleveland debut where she played [[Antonín Dvořák|Dvorak]]'s [[Violin Concerto (Dvořák)|Violin Concerto]].<ref name=Charry /> Reviews of that concert were positive, with Carl Apone noting that Dvořák's concerto was "a proving ground on which to separate the men from the boys:"<ref name=Apone>Apone, Carl. ''[[Pittsburgh Press]]'', November 24, 1962</ref> {{blockquote|By the time Germany's Edith Peinemann, 24, had reached the end of the first movement, it was obvious that this serious musician had the situation well in hand. . . When Miss Peinemann had completed her evening's work, she was called back for six curtain calls . . some of the men in the audience, as impressed with her physical beauty as with her musical talent. . . The orchestra violinists raved about her playing in a manner not often heard here and swarmed around to congratulate her.<ref name=Apone />}}
Hungarian-born American conductor and composer [[George Szell]] saw her perform in Cleveland, invited her to perform with him at the [[De Doelen]] in Rotterdam in 1963, the [[Berlin Philharmonic]], and the [[New York Philharmonic]], and often gave her coaching before concerts. She began to call him "Uncle George," as they developed a close friendship during that period. Szell made a special attempt to obtain private funds from wealthy donors to buy her a violin of finer quality, which he helped her select. Peinemann recalls his assistance: {{blockquote|[Szell] was in Zurich and I had my violin dealer from Bern who had a lot of fine instruments come to Zurich. We went to the concert hall there and Mr. Szell went into the audience and I played to him five fine violins: two [[Guarneri]], three [[Stradivari]]. And he chose the one I have now, a Guarneri. . . . He was marvelous to young musicians.<ref name=Charry />}}
She performed as a soloist with the [[Chicago Symphony Orchestra]] at the start of their new year in 1966,<ref>''Billboard'', December 4, 1965</ref> and with the [[Atlanta Symphony]] in January, with [[Robert Mann]] conducting.<ref>''Life'' magazine. October 14, 1966 p. 34</ref>
In 1967, after working with Szell to perfect a performance of [[Violin Concerto No. 2 (Bartók)|Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2]] along with the Beethoven concerto, he asked her to perform Mozart's [[Violin Concerto No. 3 (Mozart)|Violin Concerto No. 3]], as Mozart, notes historian Michael Charry, was "a composer he reserved for his favorite and most mature artists.<ref name=Charry />
Amongst her numerous engagements, touring Southern Africa was a favourite. She was acclaimed and especially popular there, and did concert tours of that region five times (1964, 69, 74, 75, 78).
==Later career== Peinemann has continued her career over the following decades, becoming a professor of music at [[Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts]] from 1976, and is listed among their notable teachers, having taught other notable violinists, including [[Yaakov Rubinstein]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rubinsteinklezmerproject.com/magical-trio/ya-akov-rubinstein.html |title=Ya'akov Rubinstein|publisher=Rubinstein Klezmer Project|accessdate=May 10, 2012}}</ref> She performed as soloist with the [[Cleveland Orchestra]] in July 1987.<ref>''Cincinnati Magazine'', July 1987 p. 31</ref> Some of her other students have included Veronica Kröner,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conservatoriomatera.it/news.php?id=232|title=Conservatorio di Matera - CONCERTO - DUO CLAVIOL Veronica KRÖNER, violino - Adolf HENNIG, pianoforte|work=conservatoriomatera.it|accessdate=23 December 2016}}</ref> and Harriet Cohen.
Music professor Dr. David C. F. Wright, in an article acknowledging her contributions, notes that she made her American debut at [[Carnegie Hall]] in 1965. In later years, she gave [[master class]]es at the [[Cleveland Institute of Music]], Indiana University at Bloomington, [[Kusatsu, Gunma#Festivals and events|Kusatsu Festival]] in Japan and the Lucerne Conservatory.<ref name=Wright/> In 2005, she was the international president of the European String Teachers Association (ESTA). Wright offers his impression of her abilities: {{blockquote|Her recordings are few. There is the Dvořák Concerto, [[Violin Concerto No. 1 (Prokofiev)|Prokofiev 1]] and a sensational performance of [[Violin Concerto (Berg)|the Berg]] conducted by [[Rudolf Kempe]]. I have heard and marvelled at her solo Bach and [[Violin Concerto No. 1 (Bruch)|Bruch's first concerto]] with the [[BBC Philharmonic]] ... Along with [[Ginette Neveu]], she is the best.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/music-in-mainz-and-frankfurt.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110830/http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/music-in-mainz-and-frankfurt.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Music in Mainz and Frankfurt (BBC Legends 4215)|publisher=Wright Music|accessdate=May 10, 2012}}</ref>}}
Critic Roger Hecht described her recorded performance with Kempe: {{blockquote|Edith Peinemann was a cult figure among violinists, and it is easy to hear why ... it is clear that she saw herself as a member of an ensemble rather than a virtuoso soloist. Her warm tone and singing style fit Kempe's approach well. The interplay between violin and orchestra is a pleasure to hear from the opening bars which actually glisten.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norpete.com/c0606.html |title=Review: Rudolf Kempe, with Edith Peinemann (BBC Legends 4215) |publisher=Norpete |accessdate=May 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131180300/http://www.norpete.com/c0606.html |archivedate=January 31, 2013 }}</ref>}}
==Discography (partial)== Source: [https://www.discogs.com/artist/847854-Edith-Peinemann Discogs.com]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/847854-Edith-Peinemann|title=Edith Peinemann|work=discogs.com|accessdate=23 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israbox.life/3137537255-edith-peinemann-peter-maag-the-czech-philharmonic-dvorak-violin-concerto-ravel-tzigane-1966-hd-tracks.html|title=Edith Peinemann, Peter Maag & The Czech Philharmonic - Dvorak: Violin Concerto & Ravel: Tzigane (1966) {HD Tracks}|work=israbox.life|accessdate=23 December 2016}}</ref>
*''Pfitzner Violin Concerto'', (1959) ::Vienna Festival – Edith Peinemann – Bamberg Symphony – Joseph Keilberth – Past Daily Weekend Gramophone
*''Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester a-moll Op. 53'' / Tzigane (1966) <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljEUwptaVpQ Edith Peinemann, Violin, ''Dvorak Violin Concert Op 53'', 1,2mov]</ref> ::Anton Dvořák* / Maurice Ravel - Edith Peinemann, Peter Maag, Tschechische Philharmonie, Prag* - Deutsche Grammophon
*''J. S. Bach "Violin Concerto No 2'', (date unknown)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no--JICSUAM|title=J. S. Bach "Violin Concerto No 2" Edith Peinemann (2. Mov.)|last=Addiobelpassato|date=23 September 2012|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref> ::Violin Concerto No 2 in E Major, BWV 1042 by Johann Sebastian Bach, 2. Movement "Adagio"
*''Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks'' (2004), ::Günter Wand, Igor Strawinsky*, Sergej Prokofiew*, Edith Peinemann, * - Günter Wand-Edition Volume 3 (CD) Profil Medien GmbH PH04056
*''Rudolf Kempe, Edith Peinemann'' (2007),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/brahms-busoni-mozart-violin/922696021|title=Brahms, Busoni & Mozart: Violin Sonatas by Edith Peinemann & Leonard Hokanson on Apple Music|work=apple.com|date=September 2014|access-date=23 December 2016}}</ref> ::Tippett, Berg, Janáček (CD, Album, RM), BBC, BBCL 4215-2, 2007
*''Brahms'' (date unknown) ::Edith Peinemann, Jörg Demus - Sonate Op. 100 A-Dur / Sonate Op. 108 D-Moll (LP) Darnok DF 2032
*''Brahms'' (date unknown) ::Edith Peinemann, Jörg Demus - Sonate Op. 78 G-dur / Sonatensatze (LP) Darnok DF 2033
*''Brahms, Busoni & Mozart: Violin Sonatas'' (2014)
==Notes== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=edith-peinemann-q45321}} *[http://classicalmusicianstoza.blogspot.ca/2014/06/edith-peinemann-german-violinist.html Some programs, introductions and photos from her five tours of Southern Africa], organised by [[Hans G. Adler]] from 1964 to 1978
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Peinemann, Edith}} [[Category:1937 births]] [[Category:2023 deaths]] [[Category:Musicians from Mainz]] [[Category:Academic staff of the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts]] [[Category:People from Rhenish Hesse]] [[Category:German women classical violinists]] [[Category:Deutsche Grammophon artists]] [[Category:20th-century German classical violinists]] [[Category:20th-century German women musicians]] [[Category:21st-century German classical violinists]] [[Category:21st-century German women musicians]]