The Hungarian violinist was a much-loved and respected teacher as well as a soloist and chamber musician
The renowned Hungarian violinist and teacher György Pauk died on 18 November 2024 in Budapest, Hungary, aged 88.
Born on 26 October 1936 in Budapest, he lost both parents during the Holocaust and was brought up by his grandmother. He showed exceptional musical talent from an early age and was admitted to the Liszt Academy to study the violin at the age of only 13.
Having won several competitions, including the inaugural ‘Premio Paganini’ competition in Genoa in 1956, Pauk defected from Soviet Hungary to Paris at the age of 22, later settling in London with his wife Zsuzsi, on the advice of Yehudi Menuhin. He gained British citizenship in 1967.
As well as enjoying a distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician, Pauk was a highly respected teacher; he was professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
He owned the 1714 ‘Massart’ Stradivari, which he recently loaned to one of his most promising pupils, fellow Hungarian Júlia Pusker.
Pauk was a featured guest on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2010 and published his autobiography, A Life In Music, in 2021.
He is survived by his wife Zsuszi and their children and grandchildren.
Read: Distinguished violinist loans 1714 ‘Massart’ Strad to his most promising former pupil
Read: Violinist György Pauk on his early career and the challenges facing young players today
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