VC WEB BLOG | Jules Eskin – In Memoriam (October 20, 1931 – November 16, 2016) [RIP]

In a VC-exclusive blog, violinist Emanuel Borok pays tribute to his late-friend and fellow Boston Symphony colleague, Jules Eskin

VC recently caught up with violinist Emanuel Borok, former Boston Symphony Orchestra colleague with cellist Jules Eskin – who passed away earlier this month, aged 85.

In a VC-exclusive blog, the former Dallas Symphony Concertmaster and Boston Symphony Associate Concertmaster pays tribute to his late-friend and fellow musician:

"Jules Eskin's passing is a monumental loss to the world of classical music. He was at the top echelon of cellists.

As a young lad he was “good enough” for the most discriminate musician of the time, George Szell, the music director of the Cleveland Orchestra, who appointed him leader of the cello section, only to see him go on to the famous Boston Symphony. There he spent over a half of a century setting new standards in cello playing, as a section leader, and simply great music making. 

His biography is most impressive and his numerous recordings will continue to amaze music lovers for generations. I met him in 1974 when I joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

To me he was a very dear friend, chamber music partner and a role model in more ways than one. Everything he did had the mark of a man who had a thorough knowledge of the subject that occupied his mind at the moment. 

He once was able to find the reason for the malfunction of my car when trained mechanics could not. He was a remarkable athlete up to the last year before his death at 85. 

At the ripe age of 83 he could get down on the floor and perfectly execute 30 push-ups followed by 10 pull-ups. He was uniquely positive in his outlook on life. He exuded warmth and compassion and at the same time could be brutally honest in his opinions. We will all miss his gorgeous tone and engaging laughter. To so many music lovers he was a star, to us he was Jules, and we all admired and respected him. He was one of a kind! 

-Emanuel"