World-renowned virtuoso violinist, loving to share his passion with the wider public, Ivry Gitlis died Thursday at the age of 98 in Paris, his family told AFP.
The death of this musician who has played in the most prestigious venues and with the largest orchestras occurred Thursday morning, said one of his four children, David Gitlis.
To read also: Ivry Gitlis: “I would have liked to have been directed by Beethoven.
Why ?
He was deaf! ”
Unesco Goodwill Ambassador, this Israeli residing in France had a special place in the classical musical world: renowned for his sometimes atypical interpretations of the repertoire, he was also at ease in jazz or gypsy music. .
The first Israeli artist to perform in the USSR (in 1955), founder of numerous festivals (in Vence, Menton, Saint-André-de-Cubzac…), he was also an ardent defender of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
White bushy hair and piercing blue eyes, a charismatic, whimsical, fierce and narcissistic personality, Ivry Gitlis generally played, motionless and with his eyes closed.
His violin: a 1713 Stradivarius acquired in 1964. He was a popular artist, readily present on television at the end of the 20th century.
He was one of the favorite guests of Jacques Chancel's cult program "Le Grand Échiquier".
