{{Short description|Russian cellist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Joseph Press | image = Joseph Press (1881–1924).png | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Josef Isaakovitch Press | birth_date = {{Birth based on age at death|41|1924|10|04}} | birth_place = Vilnius, Russian Empire | death_date = {{Death date and given age|1924|10|04|41}} | death_place = Rochester, New York, US | burial_place = | occupation = Cellist | awards = | relatives = Michael Press (brother) | spouse = | children = | education = Moscow Conservatory | signature = | party = }} '''Josef Isaakovitch Press''' ({{langx|ru|Иосиф Исаакович Пресс}}; 1882 or 1883 – October 4, 1924)<ref>[http://www.musenc.ru/html/p/press.html ПРЕСС Иосиф Исаакович]. Музыкальная энциклопедия, 1973-1982</ref> was a Russian-American cellist.

==Biography== Joseph Press was born in Vilnius in 1882 or 1883. He won a gold prize scholarship to the Moscow Conservatory. After graduating, he performed as a soloist, and became head of the cello department at the Petrograd Conservatory.<ref name=DemocratObit>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-joseph-press-not/152895926/ |title=Joseph Press, Noted 'Cellist at Eastman School of Music, Dies from Pneumonia Attack |newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle |publication-place=Rochester, New York |page=25 |date=1924-10-05 |access-date=2024-08-08 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=vvEsAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA196 ''The Violinist'', Volume 21, page 196]</ref>

He performed in the concerts of the Society for Jewish Folk Music which also featured violinists Jascha Heifetz and Efrem Zimbalist the bass Feodor Chaliapin.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YLQXrHGNlQUC&pg=PA50 ''Juilliard: A History'' by Andrea Olmstead (2002), page 50]</ref> In 1921, he emigrated to America with his brother, Michael Press.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HJdn-qdFlCUC&pg=PA465 ''George Eastman: A Biography'' by Elizabeth Brayer (2006), page 465]</ref><ref>''Violins and Violinists' Magazine'', Volumes 11-12, page 14 Ernest N. Doring - 1950 "The instrument belonged later to the late Joseph Press, also of Russian birth, who with his brother Michael achieved eminence here. Joseph Press died at Rochester in 1924. The cello is now in New York"</ref>

He began teaching at the Eastman School of Music in 1922. He died of pneumonia in Rochester, New York on October 4, 1924.<ref name=DemocratObit/><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HJdn-qdFlCUC&pg=PA322 ''George Eastman: A Biography'' by Elizabeth Brayer (2006), page 322]</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Press, Joseph}} Category:1880s births Category:1924 deaths Category:Cellists from the Russian Empire Category:Musicians from Vilnius Category:Saint Petersburg Conservatory alumni Category:Deaths from pneumonia in New York (state) Category:20th-century American cellists Category:Soviet emigrants to the United States Category:Moscow Conservatory alumni