Pictures: Bronislaw Huberman

Bronislaw Huberman

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Polish violinist, one of the most gifted violinists of the 20th century and the founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Born in Czestochowa in the Russian Empire (today in Poland), he was a child prodigy, and at age 12 played for Emperor Franz Joseph. In 1896, he performed Johannes Brahms’ concerto to the audience of Gustav Mahler, Johan Strauss and Brahms himself. At the beginning of the 20th century, he performed around Europe and was a popular teacher, even requested in Nazi Germany, though he refused. In 1936, Huberman made Aliyah and founded the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orchestra consisted of Jewish European musicians, who were saved and permitted to immigrate thanks to Huberman’s connections.