Nathan Milstein was one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. He was born on December 31, 1904, in Odessa, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire. His family was of Jewish heritage and his father was a small-time merchant.
Milstein showed an early aptitude for music and received his first violin lessons from his father. He later studied with the renowned violin teacher Pyotr Stolyarsky, who also taught such other famous musicians as David Oistrakh.
At the age of 11, Milstein made his public debut playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Kiev Symphony Orchestra. In the early 1920s, Milstein moved to Paris where he quickly established himself as a leading violinist. He then moved to the United States in 1929, where he made his Carnegie Hall debut.
Milstein was known for his stunning technique and his rich, warm tone. He was also noted for his ability to interpret the works of J.S. Bach with particular artistry. He recorded many of the great works of the violin repertoire, including the concerti of Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky.
In addition to his work as a soloist, Milstein was also an accomplished chamber musician. He played regularly with such legends as pianist Vladimir Horowitz and cellist Gregor Piatigorsky.
Milstein was a dedicated teacher as well as a performer, and he taught at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, the Juilliard School in New York City, and other institutions. He also wrote several instructional books on violin technique, which are still used by aspiring musicians today.
Milstein continued to perform late into his life, and even after retiring from the stage he continued to teach and record. He died on December 21, 1992, at the age of 87, in London, England.
Milstein’s virtuosity and musicianship helped to establish the violin as a major solo instrument, and his recordings continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world. He remains one of the most celebrated violinists of all time.