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| Emanuel Vardi |
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| Manny |
Emanuel Vardi
passed away on January 29, 2011 at the age of 95. Known by many a a champion of the viola during a time when there were few famous violists.
Manny entered the Institute of Musical Art which later became Juilliard. He was a member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini.
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| Paganini 24 Caprices |
His viola career spanned over 50 years. Manny had several recordings including his 1965 recording of the Paganini 24 Caprices. The Caprices are incredibly difficult on the violin and even more so on the viola. Only one other violist has recorded the Caprices.
I had the honor of playing for Manny at a masterclass and again when he performed the Walter May Viola Concerto with the South Dakota Symphony. He played a viola built for him by Hiroshi Iizuka. It is a stunning instrument with power and a cellistic sound. The viola was made for Manny and he could get every bit of color and sound out of the instrument.
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| An Iizuka Viola |
Emanuel Vardi was born in Jerusalem on April 21, 1915. His father was a violinist and painter and his mother was a pianist.
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| Schubert Trout Quintet - Emanuel Vardi |
In 1993 he retired from playing after a broken wrist and torn rotator cuff. He then turned to painting.
Manny's paintings of musicians and cityscapes have been exhibited in galleries in New York and around the country. Critics have praised his control of color and tone.
Emanuel Vardi will be missed by violists and friends all over the world.
"I love painting my musicians, and it is my hope that through the use of color and design, I can allow the viewer a glimpse and a greater understanding of the world of the musician." - Emanuel Vardi
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