From 1974 to 1978, Joshua Epstein taught as a professor of violin at the University of Music in Würzburg. During this time, he was a frequent guest of the Hummel family and played first violin at their musical gatherings. At Epstein’s suggestion, Bertold Hummel composed the Suite for Solo Violin, Op. 78, in 1982.

Biography

Joshua Epstein was born in Tel Aviv, where he also received his early musical training. He then studied in Brussels with Arthur Grumiaux at the “Conservatoire Royal de Musique”. After securing one of the coveted places at the “Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth”, he continued his studies with André Gertler, who had a decisive influence on him. His extraordinary talent was soon recognised through numerous international prizes, such as at the “Reine Elisabeth” Competition in Brussels, the Sibelius Competition in Helsinki, the Paganini Competition in Genoa, and through awards such as the Carl Flesch Medal in London.

Joshua Epstein regularly performs as a soloist with orchestras both at home and abroad. Numerous concert recordings and radio broadcasts document his skill as a violinist. His extensive discography includes solo sonatas by Bach and Bartók, Paganini’s “24 Capricci per violino solo”, Bloch’s “Poème mystique” and “Baal-Shem Suite”, as well as string quartets by Mendelssohn and Schubert. The latter were awarded the “German Record Prize” and the “Grand Prix du Disque”. In 1966, he followed his teacher André Gertler to Hanover, where he served as his assistant until 1973. From 1974 to 1978, Joshua Epstein led a violin class at the University of Music in Würzburg. From 1978, he was Professor of Violin at the University of Music in Saar.