In Memory of Chaim Taub The Israel Philharmonic mourns the loss of Chaim Taub who was one of its foundational pillars for many decades. Chaim Taub (August 1, 1925 – December 25, 2024) was a violinist and teacher, one of the cornerstones of classical music in Israel. Taub was a musician of profound soul and vision, combining exceptional talent, dedication, and endless love for music and teaching. He was best known as the concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic for approximately 20 years, from 1969 to 1988, and as a world-renowned pedagogue of violin and chamber music. Early Life and Musical Education Chaim Taub was born in Tel Aviv and began playing the violin at the age of nine. He started his musical studies at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music under the guidance of Oeden Partos, who had a profound influence on him. He later traveled to the United States and studied at the Juilliard School under the renowned teacher Ivan Galamian. Other influential mentors included Emil Hauser and the distinguished conductor Sergiu Celibidache. Professional Career After completing his studies, Taub joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the United States as associate concertmaster. In 1958, he returned to Israel and joined the Israel Philharmonic, of which he was a member until 1988. He initially served as associate concertmaster and was appointed concertmaster in 1969 under conductor Zubin Mehta. Chamber Music and the Tel Aviv Quartet In addition to his work with the orchestra, Taub was highly active in chamber music. In 1960, he founded the Tel Aviv Quartet along with Daniel Benyamini (viola) and Uzi Wiesel (cello). The second violinists in the ensemble included Uri Pianka, Menahem Breuer, Yefim Boyko, and Lazar Shuster. The quartet, which was active for nearly 30 years, toured extensively around the world and recorded numerous works, including the clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms with Yona Ettlinger. Teaching and Mentorship Taub was also known as an exceptional teacher, who mentored generations of Israeli and international violinists and musicians, including Guy Braunstein, Roi Shiloah, Yamen Saadi, Eyal Shiloach, Gil Shaham, Gilad Karni, Asi Matathias, Amihai Grosz, Ori Kam, and Saida Bar-Lev. He coached chamber music ensembles, including at the Rolandseck Festival in Bonn, Germany, which he founded in 1985, and taught for 30 years at the Keshet Eilon summer courses. Personal Life, Passing, and Legacy Chaim Taub is survived by his son, conductor Yaron Traub, his daughter Sigal Taub, five grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. Taub passed away at the age of 99 on the evening of Hanukkah, December 25, 2024. He remained active until his final days, teaching at the Keshet Eilon winter course just one week before his passing. Chaim Taub was a highly influential artist and a revered teacher who dedicated his life to music and musical education. Viewing music as both a mission and a way of life, he touched many hearts and left an irreplaceable musical legacy.
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