Silverstein, Joseph

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Silverstein, Joseph

Silverstein, Joseph, distinguished American violinist and conductor; b. Detroit, March 21, 1932. He received his early instruction in violin from his father, and then studied with V. Reynolds and Zimbalist at the Curtis Inst. of Music in Philadelphia (1945–50) and later with Gingold and Mischakoff. He played in the Houston Sym. Orch., Denver Sym. Orch., and Philadelphia Orch. before joining the Boston Sym. Orch. in 1955, where he was concertmaster (1962–83) and asst. conductor (1971–83). Having won the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Competition (1959) and the Naumburg Foundation Award (1960), he made solo appearances while retaining his Boston posts. He was also chairman of the violin faculty of the Berkshire Music Center and a teacher at Boston Univ. He appeared as guest conductor with various U.S. orchs. Silverstein served as interim music director of the Toledo (Ohio) Sym. Orch. (1979–80) and principal guest conductor of the Baltimore Sym. Orch. (1981–83). He then was music director of the Utah Sym. Orch. in Salt Lake City (1983–98) and the Chautauqua (N.Y.) Sym. Orch. (1987–89). In 1994–95 he also was music adviser of the Louisville Orch. In 1998–99 he was artistic advisor of the Kansas City Sym. Orch. As both a violinist and conductor, he impressed his auditors by his technical expertise and musical integrity.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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