# Edith Peinemann

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German violinist (1937–2023)

Edith Peinemann Peinemann in the 1960s Born (1937-03-03)3 March 1937 Mainz, Germany Died 24 February 2023(2023-02-24) (aged 85) Occupations violinist, professor

**Edith Peinemann** (3 March 1937 – 25 February 2023[1]) was an internationally recognized German violinist and professor of violin. At age nineteen she won the [ARD International Music Competition](/source/ARD_International_Music_Competition) in Munich, and made her U.S. debut as soloist in 1962 with [Max Rudolf](/source/Max_Rudolf_(conductor)), after which she became a protégée of [George Szell](/source/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."[2]

## Career

Peinemann was born in [Mainz](/source/Mainz), Germany,[3] the daughter of a Mainz orchestra's [concertmaster](/source/Concertmaster), with whom she learned violin until the age of fourteen.[4] She later studied with [Max Rostal](/source/Max_Rostal) in London,[5][6] and would fulfill the "prophecy of violinist [Yehudi Menuhin](/source/Yehudi_Menuhin) who, upon hearing her play when she was 19, predicted a 'brilliant and successful career'."[7]

In 1956, she won the first prize in the International Competition of the German Radio in Munich. At that competition, conductor [William Steinberg](/source/William_Steinberg), who was among the judges, invited her to make her American debut with the [Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra](/source/Pittsburgh_Symphony_Orchestra), which she did in 1962. Word spread among Germany's conductors, such as [Max Rudolf](/source/Max_Rudolf_(conductor)), about her achievements in the U.S., including her Cleveland debut where she played [Dvorak](/source/Anton%C3%ADn_Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k)'s [Violin Concerto](/source/Violin_Concerto_(Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k)).[5] 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:"[7]

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.[7]

Hungarian-born American conductor and composer [George Szell](/source/George_Szell) saw her perform in Cleveland, invited her to perform with him at the [De Doelen](/source/De_Doelen) in Rotterdam in 1963, the [Berlin Philharmonic](/source/Berlin_Philharmonic), and the [New York Philharmonic](/source/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:

[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](/source/Guarneri), three [Stradivari](/source/Stradivari). And he chose the one I have now, a Guarneri. . . . He was marvelous to young musicians.[5]

She performed as a soloist with the [Chicago Symphony Orchestra](/source/Chicago_Symphony_Orchestra) at the start of their new year in 1966,[8] and with the [Atlanta Symphony](/source/Atlanta_Symphony) in January, with [Robert Mann](/source/Robert_Mann) conducting.[9]

In 1967, after working with Szell to perfect a performance of [Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2](/source/Violin_Concerto_No._2_(Bart%C3%B3k)) along with the Beethoven concerto, he asked her to perform Mozart's [Violin Concerto No. 3](/source/Violin_Concerto_No._3_(Mozart)), as Mozart, notes historian Michael Charry, was "a composer he reserved for his favorite and most mature artists.[5]

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](/source/Frankfurt_University_of_Music_and_Performing_Arts) from 1976, and is listed among their notable teachers, having taught other notable violinists, including [Yaakov Rubinstein](/source/Yaakov_Rubinstein).[10] She performed as soloist with the [Cleveland Orchestra](/source/Cleveland_Orchestra) in July 1987.[11] Some of her other students have included Veronica Kröner,[12] 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](/source/Carnegie_Hall) in 1965. In later years, she gave [master classes](/source/Master_class) at the [Cleveland Institute of Music](/source/Cleveland_Institute_of_Music), Indiana University at Bloomington, [Kusatsu Festival](/source/Kusatsu%2C_Gunma#Festivals_and_events) in Japan and the Lucerne Conservatory.[6] In 2005, she was the international president of the European String Teachers Association (ESTA). Wright offers his impression of her abilities:

Her recordings are few. There is the Dvořák Concerto, [Prokofiev 1](/source/Violin_Concerto_No._1_(Prokofiev)) and a sensational performance of [the Berg](/source/Violin_Concerto_(Berg)) conducted by [Rudolf Kempe](/source/Rudolf_Kempe). I have heard and marvelled at her solo Bach and [Bruch's first concerto](/source/Violin_Concerto_No._1_(Bruch)) with the [BBC Philharmonic](/source/BBC_Philharmonic) ... Along with [Ginette Neveu](/source/Ginette_Neveu), she is the best.[13]

Critic Roger Hecht described her recorded performance with Kempe:

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.[14]

## Discography (partial)

Source: [Discogs.com](https://www.discogs.com/artist/847854-Edith-Peinemann)[15][16]

- *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) [17]

- - Anton Dvořák* / Maurice Ravel - Edith Peinemann, Peter Maag, Tschechische Philharmonie, Prag* - Deutsche Grammophon

- *J. S. Bach "Violin Concerto No 2*, (date unknown)[18]

- - 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),[19]

- - 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

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Süddeutsche Zeitung. ["Traueranzeigen von Edith Peinemann"](https://trauer.sueddeutsche.de/traueranzeige/edith-peinemann). *trauer.sueddeutsche.de* (in German). Retrieved 2023-06-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Wright, David C. F. ["Edith Peinemann"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150510064723/http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/edith-peinemann.pdf) (PDF). Wright Music. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_3-0)** ["Zum Tod der Geigerin Edith Peinemann"](https://www.achgut.com/artikel/zum_tod_der_geigerin_edith_peinemann_). *www.achgut.com* (in German). Retrieved 2023-06-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Kennedy, Michael](/source/Michael_Kennedy_(music_critic)). ed. *The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music*, Oxford University Press (2004) p. 553

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Charry_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Charry_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Charry_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Charry_5-3) Charry, Michael. *George Szell: A Life of Music*, University of Illinois Press (2011) pp. 210–219

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wright_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wright_6-1) Wright, David C. F.,["Biography of Edith Peinemann"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150510064723/http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/edith-peinemann.pdf), article, 2010

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Apone_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Apone_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Apone_7-2) Apone, Carl. *[Pittsburgh Press](/source/Pittsburgh_Press)*, November 24, 1962

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** *Billboard*, December 4, 1965

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** *Life* magazine. October 14, 1966 p. 34

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Ya'akov Rubinstein"](http://www.rubinsteinklezmerproject.com/magical-trio/ya-akov-rubinstein.html). Rubinstein Klezmer Project. Retrieved May 10, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *Cincinnati Magazine*, July 1987 p. 31

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Conservatorio di Matera - CONCERTO - DUO CLAVIOL Veronica KRÖNER, violino - Adolf HENNIG, pianoforte"](http://www.conservatoriomatera.it/news.php?id=232). *conservatoriomatera.it*. Retrieved 23 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Music in Mainz and Frankfurt (BBC Legends 4215)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110830/http://www.wrightmusic.net/pdfs/music-in-mainz-and-frankfurt.pdf) (PDF). Wright Music. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Review: Rudolf Kempe, with Edith Peinemann (BBC Legends 4215)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130131180300/http://www.norpete.com/c0606.html). Norpete. Archived from [the original](http://www.norpete.com/c0606.html) on January 31, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Edith Peinemann"](https://www.discogs.com/artist/847854-Edith-Peinemann). *discogs.com*. Retrieved 23 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Edith Peinemann, Peter Maag & The Czech Philharmonic - Dvorak: Violin Concerto & Ravel: Tzigane (1966) {HD Tracks}"](http://www.israbox.life/3137537255-edith-peinemann-peter-maag-the-czech-philharmonic-dvorak-violin-concerto-ravel-tzigane-1966-hd-tracks.html). *israbox.life*. Retrieved 23 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Edith Peinemann, Violin, *Dvorak Violin Concert Op 53*, 1,2mov](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljEUwptaVpQ)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Addiobelpassato (23 September 2012). ["J. S. Bach "Violin Concerto No 2" Edith Peinemann (2. Mov.)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no--JICSUAM). Retrieved 23 December 2016 – via YouTube.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Brahms, Busoni & Mozart: Violin Sonatas by Edith Peinemann & Leonard Hokanson on Apple Music"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/brahms-busoni-mozart-violin/922696021). *apple.com*. September 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.

## External links

- [Edith Peinemann](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/edith-peinemann-q45321) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier))

- [Some programs, introductions and photos from her five tours of Southern Africa](http://classicalmusicianstoza.blogspot.ca/2014/06/edith-peinemann-german-violinist.html), organised by [Hans G. Adler](/source/Hans_G._Adler) from 1964 to 1978

[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Classical music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Classical_music)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Edith Peinemann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Peinemann) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Peinemann?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.