Fraternity-Testvériség, 1959 (37. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-07-01 / 7. szám
6 FRATERNITY Die Welt, of Berlin, Germany: “Again one enjoyed the performance of the great Hungarian violinist, Ede Zathureczky, characterized by the seriousness of conception; the greatness of the noble, pure tone capable of all shadings . . . ranging from brilliance to velvet-like softness, and the technical mastery.” The Times, of London, England: “It can safely be said that in contemporary Europe hardly any other violinist has reached this faultless clarity of intonation — this perfection in performance of the admirable music of Beethoven, as Ede Zathureczky.” Wiener Kurier, of Vienna, Austria: “The way Bartok’s violin concerto was presented tonight, one would think that composer, conductor and the artist were the same person: Ede Zathureczky.” Moscow, Russia: “The playful mastery, the wonderful ease, the natural facility with which the Hungarian violinist Ede Zathureczky performs, without inner or exterior pose, is almost incomparable.” On March 15, 1958, he accepted the invitation of the Hungarian Students Association in the U. S. and appeared in the Carnegie Hall in New York. This was his last big concert performance which gave an unforgettable experience to all of his listeners and drew the most appreciating words from the critics. “Zathureczky proved that he stands high above all violinists who stormed the New York concert stages during this season . . .”, wrote The Telegraph and Evening Mail about his performance. He was an ethousiasted educator and guiding artist also. After his recitals given with Bruno Walter in 1925, he received an invitation to play in the United States the following season, but he turned down this wonderful and lucrative occasion because he did not want to neglect his students. He was loved and respected by his pupils and followers though his standards were very high, both with his students and with himself. He was a stern critic and always strived for perfection. Since he lived for years in dangerous political atmosphere, he demonstrated his courage and deep humanity by aiding his persecuted students whatever risk was involved. It is no wonder that he built a whole new artist generation in Hungary. His students won musical competitions all over the world. In 1936, at the Vienna International Music Contests, R. Virovai, Gabriella Lengyel and F. Bruckbauer won the first three positions in the violin contest; all three came from the Zathureczky school. In 1955, despite the isolating effect of the Iron Curtain at the Carl Flesch Competition at London, again his students, D. Kovács and A. Vadas, won the two first places. Next year, another Zathureczky student, G. Pauk, was first in the Paganini Contest held in Genoa, Italy. As a teacher, he received the greatest recognition when Yehudi Menuhin sent a very talented boy from South America to him, saying that he is the only person from whom the young artist still could learn. Zathureczky was holder of many Hungarian and foreign decorations. He twice received the Kossuth Prize, presently the highest Hungarian honor for spiritual and artistic achievements. ★ ★ ★ His greatness will be truly measured by the gap which his passing has left in our midst.
