Ferras, Christian

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Ferras, Christian

Ferras, Christian, outstanding French violinist and pedagogue; b. Touquet, June 17, 1933; d. Paris, Sept. 14, 1982. He was a remarkably gifted child who began to study at a very early age with Charles Bistesi at the Nice Cons. In 1942 he made his public debut as soloist with an orch. in Nice. He then continued his training at the Paris Cons, with René Benedetti (violin) and Joseph Calvet (chamber music), taking premiers prix in both subjects in 1946, the year he made his Paris debut. In 1949 he had further lessons with Enesco and captured 2nd prize in the Long-Thibaud competition in Paris. Thereafter, he pursued a distinguished career as a soloist with orchs. and as a recitalist. In 1975 he became a prof, at the Paris Cons. His interpretations were notable for their stylistic fidelity to the score and virtuoso execution.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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