Violinist Ivry Gitlis passed away aged 98. Luminary Polish-born Jewish violinist and teacher Ida Haendel passed away aged 91. American cellist Lynn Harrell passed away aged 76. Famed American classical

Born in California, she made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 13. She was a faculty member at the San Francisco

American violinist and pianist Louis Persinger was born on this day in 1887 - 129 years ago. A student of Eugène Ysaÿe and Jacques Thibaud, he was a former Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, Brussels Royal Opera Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony - and served a titled teaching position at The Juilliard School. His famed students included Yehudi Menuhin, Ruggiero Ricci, Isaac Stern, Guila Bustabo, Camilla Wicks and Zvi Zeitlin. For much of his career he concertized on the 1715 'Lipinski' Stradivarius violin - now played by Milwaukee Symphony Concertmaster, Frank Almond.

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LOUIS PERSINGER | RIMSKY-KORSAKOV | CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL | ALFRED HERTZ & SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

The Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester has today announced the appointment of Norwegian virtuoso Henning Kraggerud to the position of 'International Chair of Violin'. A student of Camilla Wicks, Emanuel Hurwitz and Stephan Barratt-Due, Henning, 41 is recognised as one of Norway's most outstanding international artists - having performed regularly on some of the world's most prestigious concert platforms. “When the RNCM asked me to be their International Chair of Violin, I felt very honoured” Henning has said, ”... I find the atmosphere at this college splendid … [with] inspired and accomplished students and certainly a place I like to teach and play.” “I have observed Henning Kraggerud working with our students on several occasions: his vibrant artistry and boundless energy are a real source of inspiration,” Chris Hoyle, Head of the School of Strings has said.