Arthur Grumiaux

Composers

Biography

Born: March 21, 1921   Died: October 16, 1986   Country: Belgium  
Of the Franco-Belgian school, Arthur Grumiaux is considered to have been one of the few truly great violin virtuosi of the twentieth century. In his relatively short life his achievements were superb. He brought to performances guaranteed technical command, faithfulness to the composer's intent, and sensitivity toward the intricate delineations of musical structure. His fame was built upon extraordinary violin concerto performances and Read more chamber-music appearances with his own Grumiaux Trio.

Grumiaux was born in Villers-Perwin, Belgium, in 1921, to a working-class family, and it was his grandfather who urged him to begin music studies at the age of 4. He trained on violin and piano with the Fernand Quintet at the Charleroi Conservatory, where he took first prize at the age of 11. The following year he advanced his studies by working with Alfred Dubois at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, and also worked on counterpoint and fugue with Jean Absil. He received his first few major awards prior to reaching the age of 20; he took the Henry Vieuxtemps and François Prume prizes in 1939, and received the Prix de Virtuosité from the Belgian government in 1940. During this time he also studied composition privately in Paris with the famous Romanian violinist Georges Enesco, Menuhin's teacher. His debuts were made in Belgium with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra playing Mendelssohn's concerto, and in Britain with the BBC Symphonic Orchestra in 1945. Due to the German invasion of his homeland, there existed a short time gap between these two important events. During that time he played privately with several small ensembles, while refraining from public performance of any kind. Regardless of this slight delay in the initiation of his international career, once started, it quickly developed. Following his British debut, he advanced into Belgium academia when he was appointed professor of violin at the Royal Conservatory, where he had once studied. There, he emphasized the importance of phrasing, the quality of sound, and the high technical standards of artistry.

Grumiaux's playing has been included on over 30 recordings, nearly all under Philips, although his name is also seen on the labels of EMI, Belart and Music & Arts. The titles on these releases tend to be the compositions of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert, and on occasion include works by Ravel and Debussy. One of his greatest joys in life was his partnership with the pianist Clara Haskil. On occasion, the two would switch instruments for a different perspective and relationship. Grumiaux was left with a professional and personal absence when she died from a fall at a train station, en route to a concert with him. In addition to his solo work, he has recorded Mozart quintets with the Grumiaux Ensemble, and various selections with the Grumiaux Trio, comprised of the Hungarian husband-wife duo Georges Janzer (violin) and Eva Czako (cello). His successful performance career led up to royal recognition, as in 1973, he was knighted baron by King Baudouin, for his services to music, thus, sharing the title with Paganini. Despite a struggle with diabetes, he continued a rigorous schedule of recording and concert performances, primarily in Western Europe, until a sudden stroke in Brussels took his life in 1986. At the age of 65, Grumiaux left behind the memory of his elegant and solid musicianship. Read less

Featured Arthur Grumiaux CDs & DVDs:

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Bruch / Grumiaux, Krenz, Wallberg, New Philharmonia
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Bruch / Grumiaux, Krenz, Wallberg, New Philharmonia
Release Date: 06/21/2005   Label: Pentatone  
Catalog: 5186117   Number of Discs: 1
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Browse 1-25 of 67 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Arrangements or Transfigurations
    Arrangements or Transfigurations
    Label: Praga   Catalog: 350132 Release Date: 05/26/2017  
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Johannes Brahms,  Igor Stravinsky  ... 
    Performer:  Wilhelm Kempff,  Arthur Grumiaux,  Georges Janzer,  Eva Czako  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Craft,  Antal Doráti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Tokyo String Quartet,  London Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 2.
    Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano & Violin / Grumiaux, Arrau
    Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano & Violin / Grumiaux, Arrau
    Label: Pentatone   Catalog: 5186235 Release Date: 08/26/2016   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Claudio Arrau
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  • 3.
    Philips Classics: The Stereo Years
    Philips Classics: The Stereo Years
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 002445602 Release Date: 02/19/2016   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Jean Sibelius,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Robert Schumann,  Franz Schubert  ... 
    Performer:  Salvatore Accardo,  Elly Ameling,  Dalton Baldwin,  Jörg Demus  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Colin Davis,  Bernard Haitink,  Raymond Leppard,  Eduard van Beinum  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,  English Chamber Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $129.99
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  • 4.
    The Art of Arthur Grumiaux
    The Art of Arthur Grumiaux
    Label: Andromeda   Catalog: 9116 Release Date: 02/25/2014   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Franz Schubert,  Felix Mendelssohn,  César Franck  ... 
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Riccardo Castagnone,  Hans Altmann,  Hermann von Beckerath
    Conductor:  Frieder Weissmann,  Lorin Maazel,  Hans Müller-Kray,  Bernhard Paumgartner  ... 
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  • 5.
    Discover... Beethoven
    Discover... Beethoven
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001912702 Release Date: 10/08/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Vladimir Ashkenazy,  Arthur Grumiaux,  Ingrid Haebler,  Henryk Szeryng  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink,  Alceo Galliera,  Vladimir Ashkenazy,  Sir Colin Davis  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Beaux Arts Trio
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  • 6.
    Bernard Haitink - The Philips Years
    Bernard Haitink - The Philips Years
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001903502 Release Date: 09/24/2013   Number of Discs: 20
    Composer:  Béla Bartók,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Richard Wagner  ... 
    Performer:  Henryk Szeryng,  Herman Krebbers,  Menahem Pressler,  Isidore Cohen  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,  London Philharmonic Orchestra,  Beaux Arts Trio  ... 
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  • 7.
    Saint-saens: Piano Concerto No. 2; Cello Concerto No. 1; Violin Concerto No. 3; Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso
    Saint-saens: Piano Concerto No. 2; Cello Concerto No. 1; Violin Concerto No. 3; Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso
    Label: Praga   Catalog: 350077 Release Date: 05/14/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer:  Emil Gilels,  Isaac Stern,  Mstislav Rostropovich,  Arthur Grumiaux
    Conductor:  André Cluytens,  Eugene Ormandy,  Sir Malcolm Sargent,  Jean Fournet
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  • 8.
    The Art Of The Violin
    The Art Of The Violin
    Label: Regis   Catalog: 7010 Release Date: 03/28/2013   Number of Discs: 7
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn,  Johannes Brahms,  Edouard Lalo,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  ... 
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Clara Haskil
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink,  Eduard van Beinum,  Jean Fournet,  Bernhard Paumgartner  ... 
    CD: $38.49
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  • 9.
    Rudolf Kempe In Munich
    Label: Archipel   Catalog: 530 Release Date: 07/26/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Maurice Ravel,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux
    Conductor:  Rudolf Kempe
    CD: $9.99
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  • 10.
    Clara Haskil Edition [17 CDs]
    Clara Haskil Edition [17 CDs]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001492402 Release Date: 11/30/2010   Number of Discs: 17
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Manuel de Falla,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Frédéric Chopin  ... 
    Performer:  Clara Haskil,  Arthur Grumiaux
    Conductor:  Paul Sacher,  Bernhard Paumgartner,  Igor Markevitch,  Ferenc Fricsay  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Symphony Orchestra,  Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $78.99
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  • 11.
    The Art of Violin
    The Art of Violin
    Label: Kultur Video   Catalog: 4639 Release Date: 06/29/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn,  Ernest Chausson,  Franz Schubert (Dresden),  Johann Sebastian Bach  ... 
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Nathan Milstein,  Christian Ferras,  David Oistrakh  ... 
    Conductor:  Kiril Kondrashin,  Aram Khachaturian
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  • 12.
    Schubert: Trout Quintet, Trios / Haebler, Grumiaux
    Schubert: Trout Quintet, Trios / Haebler, Grumiaux
    Label: Philips Musica Da Camera   Catalog: 422838 Release Date: 05/13/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Schubert
    Performer:  Jacques Cazauran,  Eva Czako,  Georges Janzer,  Arthur Grumiaux  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Grumiaux Trio
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  • 13.
    The Magic Of The Violin / Grumiaux, Szeryng, Bobesco, Bernard
    The Magic Of The Violin / Grumiaux, Szeryng, Bobesco, Bernard
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 420818 Release Date: 04/08/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Pablo de Sarasate,  Tommaso Antonio Vitali  ... 
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Claire Bernard,  Jacques Genty,  Lola Bobesco  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink,  Manuel Rosenthal,  Clair Gibaut,  Sir Neville Marriner
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,  Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra,  Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra  ... 
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  • 14.
    Debussy: 3 Sonatas, String Quartet, Syrinx / Grumiaux, Gendron, Quartetto Italiano
    Debussy: 3 Sonatas, String Quartet, Syrinx / Grumiaux, Gendron, Quartetto Italiano
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 442655 Release Date: 01/28/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Claude Debussy
    Performer:  Roger Bourdin,  Annie Challan,  Colette Lequien,  István Hajdu  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Quartetto Italiano
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  • 15.
    Elisabeth Grummer Sings Mozart, Schubert, Brahms & Wolf
    Elisabeth Grummer Sings Mozart, Schubert, Brahms & Wolf
    Label: Hänssler Classic   Catalog: 94209 Release Date: 09/08/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Franz Schubert,  Johannes Brahms,  Hugo Wolf
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Elisabeth Grümmer,  Hugo Diez
    Conductor:  Karl Münchinger
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
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    CD: $12.99
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  • 16.
    Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps, Violin Concerto; Bartok: Divertimento For String Orchestra / Ferenc Fricsay, Et Al
    Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps, Violin Concerto; Bartok: Divertimento For String Orchestra / Ferenc Fricsay, Et Al
    Label: Medici Masters   Catalog: 20-2 Release Date: 08/25/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Igor Stravinsky,  Béla Bartók
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux
    Conductor:  Ferenc Fricsay
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
    CD: $17.99
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  • 17.
    Beethoven: Complete Music For Flute / Gazzelloni, Et Al
    Beethoven: Complete Music For Flute / Gazzelloni, Et Al
    Label: Philips Duo   Catalog: 454247 Release Date: 06/19/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Bruno Canino,  Severino Gazzelloni,  Arthur Grumiaux,  Maxence Larrieu  ... 
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  • 18.
    Ultimate Classical Dreams - The Essential Masterpieces
    Ultimate Classical Dreams - The Essential Masterpieces
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001280302 Release Date: 04/21/2009   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Gabriel Fauré,  Joaquin Rodrigo,  Samuel Barber,  Claude Debussy  ... 
    Performer:  Marisa Robles,  Jack Brymer,  Vladimir Ashkenazy,  Dame Kiri Te Kanawa  ... 
    Conductor:  Charles Dutoit,  David Zinman,  Frederick Fennell,  Sir Neville Marriner  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Montreal Symphony Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $21.99
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  • 19.
    Flute Adagios
    Flute Adagios
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001280202 Release Date: 04/14/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Albert Roussel,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Jacques Ibert,  Johann Sebastian Bach  ... 
    Performer:  Michael Grandt,  Irena Grafenauer,  William Bennett,  Timothy Hutchins  ... 
    Conductor:  Charles Dutoit,  Sir Neville Marriner,  Benjamin Britten,  Karl Münchinger  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Grumiaux Trio,  Montreal Symphony Orchestra,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields  ... 
    CD: $19.99
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  • 20.
    Viotti: Violin Concerto No 22; Mozart / Grumiaux, Davis
    Viotti: Violin Concerto No 22; Mozart / Grumiaux, Davis
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 420266 Release Date: 09/02/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Giovanni Battista Viotti
    Performer:  Arrigo Pelliccia,  Arthur Grumiaux
    Conductor:  Sir Colin Davis,  Edo de Waart
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
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  • 21.
    Stravinsky, Berg: Violin Concerti / Grumiaux, Markevitch
    Stravinsky, Berg: Violin Concerti / Grumiaux, Markevitch
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 422136 Release Date: 08/05/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Igor Stravinsky,  Alban Berg
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux
    Conductor:  Ernest Bour,  Igor Markevitch
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
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  • 22.
    Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas / Grumiaux, Haskil
    Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas / Grumiaux, Haskil
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 422140 Release Date: 12/10/2007   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  Clara Haskil
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  • 23.
    Brahms: The 3 Violin Sonatas / Arthur Grumiaux, György Sebok
    Brahms: The 3 Violin Sonatas / Arthur Grumiaux, György Sebok
    Label: Philips Musica Da Camera   Catalog: 426093 Release Date: 12/10/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Arthur Grumiaux,  György Sebok
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  • 24.
    Bach Adagios - Over 2 1/2 Hours Of The Most Beautiful Music
    Bach Adagios - Over 2 1/2 Hours Of The Most Beautiful Music
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000944302 Release Date: 10/09/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Lisa Beznosiuk,  Trevor Pinnock,  Simon Standage,  Heinz Holliger  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Raymond Agoult,  Arpád Gerecz,  Raymond Leppard  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  English Concert,  Camerata Bern  ... 
    CD: $19.99
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  • 25.
    Ultimate Violin Classics - The Essential Masterpieces
    Ultimate Violin Classics - The Essential Masterpieces
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 000895302 Release Date: 06/12/2007   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn,  Max Bruch,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  ... 
    Performer:  Ruggiero Ricci,  Henryk Szeryng,  David Oistrakh,  Lev Oborin  ... 
    Conductor:  Piero Gamba,  Sir Alexander Gibson
    CD: $21.99
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