Farewell to Master Gitlis

Israeli world-renowned violinist Ivry Gitlis died at the age of 98 at the end of last year. Here, his manager who served Master's Japan tours in his final decade, introduces footsteps of Master Gitlis.

-Toshitake Nakamura
(Representative Director of Tempo Primo Co., Ltd.)

Born in Haifa, Israel, violinist Gitlis, who was called the last master of the 20th century, passed away on December 24, 2020, at age 98. He has been a guest of the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic one after another, and performed with masters from all over the world such as Argerich, Mehta, and Barenboim. Since his first visit to Japan in 1980, he has toured Japan every year, winning the hearts of his fans with his unique performances. From when I first became his manager in 2007 until his last recital in 2017 at age 95, I worked with him as his bag holder.

Above all fascinating aspects of his music is his unique style, known as "Gitlis-clause". His style of playing did not change at all even in his later years, as he stretched and contracted phrases and intentionally missed notes to shake the listener's heart. He was one of the last performers who could convey the sense of style of that time to the present day, as Kreisler, who he loved to play, was more free in his interpretations and bold in his performances than he is today.

What Gitlis did for us

In addition to his wonderful performances, he was also a "man of conviction". He was the first Israeli performer to give a concert in the former Soviet Union, a supporter of peace between Israel and Palestine, and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, performing in many African countries. We will never forget his visit to Japan in 2011, two months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and performed for the victims in various parts of Tohoku. The day after the disaster, he made a series of phone calls to me and his friends in Japan to express his concern for their safety and said that he would go to Japan to play the violin whenever he was needed. He then negotiated with the airline to cover his travel expenses, came to Japan, and held charity concerts around the country, saying, "I don't even need performance fees," and at the same time, he visited gymnasiums of schools and evacuation centers in Sendai and Ishinomaki and listened to the voices of the victims, saying, "I also lost a loved one in the war, so I understand how you feel." I will never forget the sight of people shedding tears incessantly as they listened to his performance. He was a performer who showed us firsthand that music can encourage people and give them something to live for (I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Israeli Embassy for their generous support for this and every other tour).

"Japan is my second home,' he said. Even though in his 90's, he never hesitated to come to Japan for concerts, spending more than 10 hours each time he visited Tohoku to perform for the people there. Many of his friends and fans in Japan shed tears in his passing. I can't thank him enough for his wonderful performance and for teaching us how to live our lives based on our convictions and most importantly, the importance of loving others. God also blessed his life as he was taken to heaven on Christmas Eve. I'm sure he is now enjoying the reunion with his loving family and many musicians in heaven.

Toshitake Nakamura

Representative Director of Tempo Primo Co., Ltd.
Born in Tokyo in 1973. After graduating from Waseda University and working for a private company, he joined the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and taught violin at a music school in Damascus, Syria over two years. After returning to Japan, he gained experience as a manager at the Japan Symphony Orchestra, and in 2009, he became independent and established Tempo Primo Inc.

He has performed in Japan with Gitlis, Sarah Chang (all violins), Mardi Russian (piano), Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, State Symphony Orchestra of Russia and other world-renowned artists. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (conductor: Lahav Shani) will be invited in April 2022.