Stefan Frenkel (21 November 1902 – 1 March 1979),[1] born in Warsaw and in later years resident in America, was a violinist, academic and composer.
Frenkel was born inWarsaw in 1902, a son of businessman Adam Frenkel and wife Berta. At theHochschule für Musik in Berlin he studied violin withAdolf Busch andCarl Flesch, and composition withFriedrich Koch. He becameconcertmaster of theDresden Philharmonic in 1924.[1]
At this time he also gave concerts as soloist and in chamber music, and performed contemporary music in the series of concerts organized by the pianistPaul Aron [de], the "Neue Musik Paul Aron". He gave the premieres ofJosef Suk's "Phantasie" for violin and orchestra, and ofKurt Weill's concerto for violin and wind orchestra. He left Dresden in 1926, and appeared as soloist at venues in Germany, playing works by contemporary composers, including the premiere in 1929 of his own concerto for violin and string orchestra.[1][2]
From 1933, inNazi Germany, Frenkel could perform only in events organized by theJüdische Kulturbund. He left Germany in 1935 and moved to Switzerland, where he was concertmaster of theOrchestre de la Suisse Romande. In the following year he moved to the United States, and in New York was the first concertmaster of theMetropolitan Opera, holding the post until 1940.[1][2]
He was a violin teacher atPrinceton University, and during summers he was concertmaster atRio de Janeiro Opera andSanta Fe Opera.[1][2]
Frenkel died in 1979 at his home inForest Hills, Queens, New York. He was survived by his wife Lotte, children Sonja and Thomas, and a granddaughter.[2]
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