R.I.P. Ivry Gitlis, 25 August 1922 – 24 December 2020 

December 24, 2020, 10:57 AM · He had quite a distinctive personality as a violinist. For instance this short piece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npHWwQsHKAA&list=RDIxGY8Vnh_-8&index=2

December 24, 2020, 11:09 AM · Violin-playing is a bell-shaped curve. But then, there are still outliers.

December 24, 2020, 11:41 AM · He really was unique and an inspiration to old violinists. [:-)

Edited: December 24, 2020, 11:48 AM · One of my favorite YT videos is of Gitlis performing Chaconne. RIP

Edited: December 25, 2020, 3:23 PM · So, so sorry to hear about this. What a loss. Mr. Gitlis was unique. His violin voice is unique and instantly recognizable. And many of his recordings - especially the Bartok Violin Concerto (1955) - are in a league of their own. Condolences to his family, colleagues, and (I'm sure) thousands of devoted listeners.

I found this quote by Ivry Gitlis:

"Dear young colleagues of the up-and-coming generation, please have the courage to be yourselves, to take risks and not be copies of your recordings or of others'. Practice your instrument in order to free yourself from any psycho-technical constraint, to be able to create when you play. Listen to your inner ear, which is connected directly to your heart and spirit, the one that tells you what you feel is you! And the one you don't feel isn't you. Remember that a beautiful 'wrong' note by a Kreisler, a Thibaud, a Casals or a Callas is worth more than a thousand so-called 'right' notes and that playing that is hygienically and clinically correct is not necessarily a sign of good health! Take heart! Good health to you!"
(Ivry Gitlis - January 2007)

December 24, 2020, 1:22 PM · What a loss! RIP to a one-of-a-kind talent.

December 24, 2020, 4:09 PM · https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzYqRglx5dA&feature=youtu.be

The best up bow staccato ever recorded...... Gitlis

December 24, 2020, 7:22 PM · Greetings, what a terrible loss.
Eccentric and off the wall he may have been at times, I have no shame in admitting he is pretty much the violinist I would choose to keep on my desert island discs if I had to choose. There is sooo much that can be learnt from his bowing in particular. I hope the younger generation of players are motivated to really try and get to grips with the miracle he was.
Cheers,
Buri

December 24, 2020, 7:59 PM · Haven't run across him before, sorry it had to be this way. Incredible style! I will look for all I can find on him.

December 25, 2020, 12:20 PM · Exactly how is his name to be pronounced?

Edited: December 25, 2020, 3:29 PM · I believe it's pronounced: "iv.." (as in "give")...and "ree" (with an accent on the "iv") - iVree.
That right?

December 25, 2020, 7:15 PM · That's what I thought. Now how about his last name? I'm having a GIF vs. Jif moment.

December 25, 2020, 7:20 PM · And by the way his upbow staccato is even more wonderful when you play back the video at 1.5 speed.

Edited: December 26, 2020, 8:46 AM · Hi, Paul:
OK, step 2, the last name.

"Git" (as in "git out!!").

Then "Liss" (as in "list" without the "t").
"GIT" gets the emphasis.

...GITliss.

Sorry, I can't help with the pronunciation of "violin."
I have trouble with that one.

Happy New Year.
Cheers,
Sandy

Edited: December 26, 2020, 4:13 PM · Very few people know about this sound track he plays for a movie. He sounds incredible, what an artist he was..
https://youtu.be/Jn-67aSMSS4

December 26, 2020, 4:11 PM · thanks Jose for mentioning that movie track

December 31, 2020, 3:25 PM · Two hour documentary on Gitlis:

https://youtu.be/M7NH8ga6rP0