Mischa Elman

Russian-born American violinist

MILESTONES OF MY CAREER – I was undoubtedly lucky at the beginning of my artistic career. My father was a poor country school-teacher who, in spite blind faith in my talent, would have been quite unable to provide me with the necessary instruction; but Fate was kind to me. When I was only five years old, a princess took an interest in me and made me play at her house before a crowd of guests, who then and there raised the amount required for my musical education. Later on, when I had reached the age of eleven, it was Leopold Auer (who died recently), professor at the St. Petersburg Academy of Music, the greatest and most venerated musician in Russia, the foremost virtuoso of the Imperial Opera, who took me in hand. I do not think there can have been any greater master of the violin, although at that time he was unknown outside Russia. By the time I had made my own way and was in a position to spread Auer’s fame beyond the frontier of his country, had become known and esteemed all over the world. I began my career as a child prodigy at the age of twelve. The day before my concert, in Berlin, my manager collected all the leading newspaper critics and I played to them. The Press was enthusiastic next day, and my first concert was a great success. I gave others, and became a full-grown artiste… I have been constantly travelling almost as long as I can remember. With the exception of South America and Africa, I have played before audiences of every race under the sun… [Straits Times, 5 March 1931, p.14]

Singapore (Victoria Theatre) [7 & 9 June 1921]

MISCHA ELMAN – First Appearance At Victoria Theatre – To the music lover Mischa Elman, claimed to be the world’s best violinist, needs no recommendation, but the general English speaking public of Singapore, beyond a vague understanding of the fact that he is “famous,” do not perhaps fully appreciate the glorious opportunity form musical enjoyment his visit presents. It was a crowded a mixed audience which heard Mischa Elman on Tuesday evening, and there could not have been a soul who did not regard his evening as very well spent. Even those who went at the dictate of fashion were carried away by the beauty, and the alternate strength and tenderness, of this great player’s bowing. Mr. Elman made his instrument his complete artistic servant throughout the programme. His selections were exhaustive of widely different styles, embracing the popular Chopin, Schubert, Wieniwsky, and the less known Vivaldi, Lalo and Sarasante, besides which the violinist gave us his own setting of a Beethoven “Country Dance.” To describe the rendering of each item would require columns of space and cannot be attempted here. Undoubtedly the music student must have been completely delighted in the three movements of Lalo’s Symphony Espagnol and in Wieniawsky’s Fantasia Faust, while the more popular taste must have found exquisite pleasure in Chopin’s Nocturne in E flat, the Ave Maria of Schubert and the Gypsy Songs of Sarasante. The pleasing feature of Mischa Elman’s whole style is the contrast between the remarkable energy he puts into an allegro movement and the delicately velvet touch be employs in the softened phrases. A special word of praise is due to Mr. Arthur Loesser for his accompaniments at the piano. He puts his whole soul into the work and is certainly a great artist himself. Another – and the last – performance will be given tonight. [Malaya Tribune, 9 June 1921, p.5]

MISCHA ELMAN – No artist can ever have had a more enthusiastic reception in Singspore than that accorded Mischa Elman for his second concert in the Victoria Theatre last evening. Every seat in the theatre was occupied, and every selection was greeted with rapturous appreciation. The great violinist was in rare form and captured his audience completely from the very first note of his opening piece. His programme was admirably selected, with contrast forming a delight to music lovers, who have this week proved that they are in Singapore a far more numerous body than most people suspected. Perhaps “Zephyr” (Hubay) and “Jota” (Sarasate) were the most brilliantly executed pieces, bat nothing was daintier than Minuet” (Haydn)… He got through an arduous programme (generously giving two encores) with unfaltering art, and his visit will be long remembered. Mr Arthur Loesser as pianist has also come in for plentiful encomiums, thoroughly well deserved. [Malaya Tribune, 10 June 1921, p.4]

MISCHA ELMAN – Just before Mr. Mischa Elman left Singapore on his tour through Java, a tentative arrangement was made with himself and his business manager, Mr. Strock, to have, if arrangements made that possible, a matinée recital during the brief interval during which Mr. Elman might be in Singapore before continuing his travels. This would allow many, who for various reasons might not have been able to attend either of the two previous evening concerts, to have an opportunity of hearing Mr. Mischa Elman’s wonderful violin-playing. It also occurred to the mind of the conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra, himself once more in Singapore, that Mr. Mischa Elman’s presence here might give a chance to many who, while themselves students of music, or professional performers, might not be in a position to attend the Elman concerts, to have an opportunity of hearing him. This was done during the visit of Marie Hall, the eminent lady violinist, a number of years ago, when the conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra arranged that forty young musicians of this place should have free tickets for one of her evening concerts. This was managed through a payment from the Children’s Concert Fund, and it is certain that all these who had that chance of hearing Marie Hall will never forget that… [Singapore Free Press, 4 July 1921, p.7]

Java [1921]

MISCHA ELMAN – Mr. Mischa Elman, the famous violinist, returned to Singapore yesterday morning from Batavia. It is understood that his tour through Java has been, extremely successful. Although no announcement has yet been made, it is hoped by many that Mr. Elman may give another concert during the few days that he is in Singapore, prior to his return to America. [Singapore Free Press, 5 July 1921, p.6]
Mischa Elman, who left today for Kuala Lumpur to give a recital, will appear once more in Singapore before he returns to the United States. As the theatre is not available the great violinist will give a recital at Goodwood Hall next Monday evening. [Straits Times, 6 July 1921, p.8]

Kuala Lumpur [July 1921]
Singapore (Goodwood Hall) [11 July 1921] – Farewell Concert

Victoria Memorial Hall – Coming early next month – Mischa Elman, the celebrated violinist [Singapore Free Press, 14 April 1937, p.2]
Mischa Elman’s violin concerts at the Victoria Theatre on May 5 and 6 have been cancelled. [Straits Times, 29 April 1937, p.12]

DISCOGRAPHY
Victor/HMV (1906-1954)
V Disc (1944)
Decca (1954-1957)
Vanguard (1959-1973)