Acclaimed violinist Jacques Israelievitch, who enjoyed a storied international career as a soloist, conductor and teacher, died of lung cancer Saturday in Toronto.
He was 67.
Israelievitch was a pillar of the international arts community. He had numerous solo engagements to his credit, appeared with many of the world’s major orchestras, and, as a distinguished chamber musician, performed with pianists Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Born in Cannes, France, and raised in Paris and LeMans, Israelievitch made his French National Radio debut at the young age of 11, and graduated from the Paris Conservatory at 16. He began his orchestral career at age 23 as the assistant concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and was later named concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony, a position he held for 10 seasons.
For 20 years, Israelievitch served as concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra – the longest tenure for a leader …