Eugene Fodor was a violinist, showman & musician the world has ever known. He was certainly the greatest violinist the US of A has produced. He was gifted with his vibrato, bowing technique, and overall professionalism that made him unique among all of history’s violinists, & they have been many, all except one, Niccolo Paganini himself. However, one thing that set Fordor apart from Paganini was his ability to execute Tchaikovsky’ violin concerto, obviously. Please, let’s remember that Gene tied second place to the famous competition in Moscow with no first place finisher given that year - the soviets were not about to give an American fiddle player first place to a Soviet competition! Simply put, Fordor was the embodiment of a present day Paganini with the many complications that goes with being a great artist. May he Rest In Peace. We may never see another great violinist as he!!!!
I had the pleasure hearing Eugene Fodor play at my university. His performance was so beautiful that it brought me to tears. I was very fortunate to have heard him play.
He had one of the most amazing down bow staccato that I have ever seen. His both hands were equally impressive and his Paganini is second to none in my opinion.
Thanks Stephen for the posting. I am saddened to have read of Euene's death. I was very lucky to have mey him briefly in Atlanta in, I believe, either 1983 or 1984 when he performed the Paganini with the ASO. He strode out on stage, looking, as always, magnifcently handsome and tailored. I am a violinist, also from the Southwest, studied back in the mid 60's with Dr.Kurt Frederick at U of NM, and heard Perlman perform Tchaikovsky with Alb. Sym.Orch. Gene was there also, met him briefly.Missed!
Story from "Heads or Tales" EUGENE FODOR Eugene was incredibly talented, a good friend, but a difficult friend. There were two well-known Eugene Fodors’ living in the United States at the same time. Even though the better-known Fodor was the founder of the highly-regarded travel guidebooks and a travel client, the Fodor Pat and I came to know was the violinist. Eugene was awarded the top prize in the famous Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1972 and won the Paganini Competition. The Russians did something strange, incredibly disgusting, and certainly unfair, awarding the prize to Eugene but declaring that there were two “winners.” At the height of the Cold War, Russians simply could not accept the fact that an American beat their “great” Russian violinist. Everyone there felt that Fodor had won it hands down. Art all too frequently the arts suffer from politics. Earlier, Eugene had made his debut as a soloist with the Denver Symphony at the age of 10. Pat and I met Fodor through the Conductor of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Philip Greenberg, while I was President of the Board and having to serve as General Manager for three years. Philip had known Eugene for years and Philip, as a violinist, had taken a Master Class with Eugene and Itzach Perlman. Eugene was so impressive when he first played with the Savannah Symphony that we brought him back to Savannah a number of times. His playing was so marvelous and his stage presence so powerful, the audience absolutely loved him. We agree with the comments about Eugene’s being irascible. He was certainly egotistical and could be very hard to deal with, but at times he was very charming and frequently willing to play for friends in our home at 21 Chatuachee Crossing in The Landings, on Skidaway Island south of Savannah. It was nothing short of fabulous having Eugene play after dinner with friends. The Savannah Symphony had Itzach Perlman as a soloist, but Fodor remained the favorite. In addition to his skill playing the violin, his stage presence was uniquely powerful. We were nervous about his leaving his beloved Guarneri Del Gesu and his Stradivarius violins hidden under the big green leather sofa in our house. With a good alarm system, we were not as worried about an $11 million theft as we were about fire. For a long period of time, Philip Greenberg left a box full of very valuable bows underneath our bed, thinking they were safer there than they would have been in his home while he was going through a very nasty divorce from Shannon. I had to testify twice during those battles, the divorce and the custody cases, so I know how nasty his wife could be. Eugene used to lull us to sleep playing one of his violins in our living room late in the evening. A recording is enjoyable; having him play for just the two of us was an incredible privilege. Watching his fingers from a foot away while playing Paganini was a fabulous experience. Eugene loved his great Guarneri Del Gesu violin. Most people, even lovers of classical music, think of a Stradivarius when they think of a very good, extremely expensive, violin. Prior to Eugene, I don’t think I had ever even heard of a Guarneri, much less held one or heard one played.. Guarneris were preferred over Stradavarius violins by some of the world’s most renowned violinists, including Itahak Perlman, Jascha Heifetz, Isaac Stern and Yehudi Meuhin. Over the years and through his many stays in our home, we became closed friends and were shocked and extremely saddened by his death. He was a great and valued friend.
I often think Paganini was under appreciated and often only played as a show piece, but seldom understood as some of the most beautiful music every written, the kind of melodies and colours only an Italian can come up with, and Eugene was an hero in that respect that he "specialized" in Paganini. He i believe was one of the only two 20th and 21st violinist ever to earned the chance to play Paganini's Cannon! Please correct me Stephen on this if i am wrong!
True Stephen. I heard him and met him in Milwaukee many years ago. Very nice man, and indeed a rare talent. Somehow, talent seems an understatement. Divine gift is better. I tried to find something of his on iTunes, but couldn't find anything, so I sent a request. I hope it helps.
I heard him in Portland, Oregon in recital about 1980. He was fantastic. At that time, many of the first string critics attacked him for playing what they called "only showpieces" in his recitals. This was grossly unfair. I think they failed to realize what a jewel they had in their midst until it was too late.
He wanted to play them. The politics demand that you play what the conductor asks for. Unfortunate. He played them in smaller venues & wasn't even reviewed.
When Fodor first comes in there are some serious intonation difficulties. As he plays, however, they pretty much disappear. Then, most miraculously, at the extended passage of harmonics, he nails each one of those little suckers--a very very difficult thing to do. Stunning!
I saw him play several years ago...this Paganini Concerto and the Mendelssohn. He was brilliant and fierce. He is a tragic example of what addiction destroys: Life. May he have found the peace he was seeking, and may his memory be eternal.
I find it hard to believe that he was condescending to orchestra members. I praised Fodor once after a concert, and he told me not to forget the orchestra too. It wasn't a well known or well respected orchestra either.
Love his music and was honored to have heard him play and meet him. His gift to the world should always be remembered and appreciated. I would love to find his music on iTunes, or CD, somewhere. Can anyone suggest where I can find some? I would love to have all of Eugene's recordings. I have some records, but they are not in good condition.
@ewconnection I'm not sure about the others, but Malmsteen has repeatedly listed Paganini as his biggest influence. He frequently references the 24 Caprices, and even transcribed the No. 5 for guitar in the October 1999 issue of Guitar World. He has also listened to the Violin Concertos,as he plays the opening theme of the first movement of Concerto No. 4. The opening theme for third movement of Concerto No. 3 has also been used by many shredding guitarists.I would recommend the six concertos.
Hello, I am looking for an upload of the concert he performed at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, with the CSO in about 1975, give or take a year. Can someone help a girl out? Thank you so much.
Who is the conductor/orchestra. I like the conductor, too. Mr Fodor was my violin "idol" as I was in college, with the Kreisler disc. I met him at Longy years later and talk to him, I told him how much I admired him. It makes me glad I could do it.
Paganini was not a composer of emotional depth but a virtuoso player who wrote for other virtuosos. Listen to Franz Liszt or Rachmaninov what they did with his music. Far more than Paganini ever did.
Fodor's playing was always phenomenal but for mysterious reasons, his engagements got to be fewer and fewer and fewer. He stopped playing, stopped practicing, and finally gave up his Guarnerius violin too.
@@deborahm.fodor-bode5869 I feel terrible. I'd never disrespect Eugene, I can't tell you how much I love his music & feel he's right up there with Heifetz & every other great. I listen to this concerto over & over again & am always moved by how humble he looks when taking his bow after the cadenza. I am dreadfully sorry to have made you feel bad for even an instant.
@@deborahm.fodor-bode5869 Do not apologize! You have nothing to be sorry about, you are just protecting your brother & his memory & your family. I would do the same. I am glad you took the time to call me on a comment that was so dry & abbreviated as to appear flippant or critical. It was thoughtless of me. I consider it an honor to talk to a member of Eugene's family! I will always remember this interaction & use it to try to do better, even from behind my keyboard.
@@glaucoma888 What would you call a great artist who lost his ability to play the violin due to his drinking and drug addiction, and died young of cirrhosis of the liver? His own children would not use his last name out of shame. I find your high-minded superiority insipid and shallow.
No one could play Paganini better than Eugene Fodor. RIP Eugene.
Philippe Hirschorn
roman kim way better
Eugene Fodor was a violinist, showman & musician the world has ever known. He was certainly the greatest violinist the US of A has produced. He was gifted with his vibrato, bowing technique, and overall professionalism that made him unique among all of history’s violinists, & they have been many, all except one, Niccolo Paganini himself. However, one thing that set Fordor apart from Paganini was his ability to execute Tchaikovsky’ violin concerto, obviously. Please, let’s remember that Gene tied second place to the famous competition in Moscow with no first place finisher given that year - the soviets were not about to give an American fiddle player first place to a Soviet competition! Simply put, Fordor was the embodiment of a present day Paganini with the many complications that goes with being a great artist. May he Rest In Peace. We may never see another great violinist as he!!!!
I had the pleasure hearing Eugene Fodor play at my university. His performance was so beautiful that it brought me to tears. I was very fortunate to have heard him play.
He had one of the most amazing down bow staccato that I have ever seen. His both hands were equally impressive and his Paganini is second to none in my opinion.
Thanks Stephen for the posting. I am saddened to have read of Euene's death. I was very lucky to have mey him briefly in Atlanta in, I believe, either 1983 or 1984 when he performed the Paganini with the ASO. He strode out on stage, looking, as always, magnifcently handsome and tailored. I am a violinist, also from the Southwest, studied back in the mid 60's with Dr.Kurt Frederick at U of NM, and heard Perlman perform Tchaikovsky with Alb. Sym.Orch. Gene was there also, met him briefly.Missed!
I live in Texas, USA and I could only find "Romancing the Violin" With Eugene Fodor, Violin until the internet brought us the world to shop from.
Story from "Heads or Tales"
EUGENE FODOR
Eugene was incredibly talented, a good friend, but a difficult friend. There were two well-known Eugene Fodors’ living in the United States at the same time. Even though the better-known Fodor was the founder of the highly-regarded travel guidebooks and a travel client, the Fodor Pat and I came to know was the violinist.
Eugene was awarded the top prize in the famous Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1972 and won the Paganini Competition. The Russians did something strange, incredibly disgusting, and certainly unfair, awarding the prize to Eugene but declaring that there were two “winners.” At the height of the Cold War, Russians simply could not accept the fact that an American beat their “great” Russian violinist. Everyone there felt that Fodor had won it hands down. Art all too frequently the arts suffer from politics.
Earlier, Eugene had made his debut as a soloist with the Denver Symphony at the age of 10.
Pat and I met Fodor through the Conductor of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Philip Greenberg, while I was President of the Board and having to serve as General Manager for three years. Philip had known Eugene for years and Philip, as a violinist, had taken a Master Class with Eugene and Itzach Perlman. Eugene was so impressive when he first played with the Savannah Symphony that we brought him back to Savannah a number of times. His playing was so marvelous and his stage presence so powerful, the audience absolutely loved him. We agree with the comments about Eugene’s being irascible. He was certainly egotistical and could be very hard to deal with, but at times he was very charming and frequently willing to play for friends in our home at 21 Chatuachee Crossing in The Landings, on Skidaway Island south of Savannah. It was nothing short of fabulous having Eugene play after dinner with friends.
The Savannah Symphony had Itzach Perlman as a soloist, but Fodor remained the favorite. In addition to his skill playing the violin, his stage presence was uniquely powerful.
We were nervous about his leaving his beloved Guarneri Del Gesu and his Stradivarius violins hidden under the big green leather sofa in our house. With a good alarm system, we were not as worried about an $11 million theft as we were about fire. For a long period of time, Philip Greenberg left a box full of very valuable bows underneath our bed, thinking they were safer there than they would have been in his home while he was going through a very nasty divorce from Shannon. I had to testify twice during those battles, the divorce and the custody cases, so I know how nasty his wife could be.
Eugene used to lull us to sleep playing one of his violins in our living room late in the evening. A recording is enjoyable; having him play for just the two of us was an incredible privilege. Watching his fingers from a foot away while playing Paganini was a fabulous experience.
Eugene loved his great Guarneri Del Gesu violin. Most people, even lovers of classical music, think of a Stradivarius when they think of a very good, extremely expensive, violin. Prior to Eugene, I don’t think I had ever even heard of a Guarneri, much less held one or heard one played.. Guarneris were preferred over Stradavarius violins by some of the world’s most renowned violinists, including Itahak Perlman, Jascha Heifetz, Isaac Stern and Yehudi Meuhin.
Over the years and through his many stays in our home, we became closed friends and were shocked and extremely saddened by his death. He was a great and valued friend.
I often think Paganini was under appreciated and often only played as a show piece, but seldom understood as some of the most beautiful music every written, the kind of melodies and colours only an Italian can come up with, and Eugene was an hero in that respect that he "specialized" in Paganini. He i believe was one of the only two 20th and 21st violinist ever to earned the chance to play Paganini's Cannon!
Please correct me Stephen on this if i am wrong!
True Stephen. I heard him and met him in Milwaukee many years ago. Very nice man, and indeed a rare talent. Somehow, talent seems an understatement. Divine gift is better. I tried to find something of his on iTunes, but couldn't find anything, so I sent a request. I hope it helps.
I heard him in Portland, Oregon in recital about 1980. He was fantastic. At that time, many of the first string critics attacked him for playing what they called "only showpieces" in his recitals. This was grossly unfair. I think they failed to realize what a jewel they had in their midst until it was too late.
He wanted to play them. The politics demand that you play what the conductor asks for. Unfortunate. He played them in smaller venues & wasn't even reviewed.
Holy cow, what a staccato!!!
Rest in Peace. Lovely gift from God!!!
When Fodor first comes in there are some serious intonation difficulties. As he plays, however, they pretty much disappear. Then, most miraculously, at the extended passage of harmonics, he nails each one of those little suckers--a very very difficult thing to do. Stunning!
He can do these in particular better than Hilary Hahn (so possibly everyone I won't bother)
Stunning! That's the only word for Fodor's playing here!
Talent on loan from God. Truly.
Great playing from Fodor. Also nice to see the brilliant but almost unfairly forgotten conductor Alain Lombard.
Happy birthday, Geno.
I saw him play several years ago...this Paganini Concerto and the Mendelssohn. He was brilliant and fierce. He is a tragic example of what addiction destroys: Life. May he have found the peace he was seeking, and may his memory be eternal.
I saw him in Dallas in the early 80s, with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Fabulous.
I find it hard to believe that he was condescending to orchestra members. I praised Fodor once after a concert, and he told me not to forget the orchestra too. It wasn't a well known or well respected orchestra either.
increible!!! un grande Fodor!!!
Amazing violinist.
Happy Birthday, Gino. :)
Love his music and was honored to have heard him play and meet him. His gift to the world should always be remembered and appreciated. I would love to find his music on iTunes, or CD, somewhere. Can anyone suggest where I can find some? I would love to have all of Eugene's recordings. I have some records, but they are not in good condition.
Astounding, thank you for posting this.
Thank's for reuploading this .
No doubt about it - he was a great violin virtuoso - dead at age 60. His death took most people by surprise. He will be missed.
@ewconnection
I'm not sure about the others, but Malmsteen has repeatedly listed Paganini as his biggest influence. He frequently references the 24 Caprices, and even transcribed the No. 5 for guitar in the October 1999 issue of Guitar World. He has also listened to the Violin Concertos,as he plays the opening theme of the first movement of Concerto No. 4. The opening theme for third movement of Concerto No. 3 has also been used by many shredding guitarists.I would recommend the six concertos.
Just great!
Sublime !!!
While listening, i heard the corresponding notes at 3:57 and i knew it....Paganini had done the greatest of all in the romantic era!!!
R.I.P. Eugene Fodor
Happy birthday.
n1!grazie
Hello, I am looking for an upload of the concert he performed at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, with the CSO in about 1975, give or take a year. Can someone help a girl out? Thank you so much.
Who is the conductor/orchestra. I like the conductor, too. Mr Fodor was my violin "idol" as I was in college, with the Kreisler disc.
I met him at Longy years later and talk to him, I told him how much I admired him. It makes me glad I could do it.
Fantastic performing. Why Fodor's career is not great? When did this great artist death?
ok merci !
Is this Daisy's dad??
Paganini was not a composer of emotional depth but a virtuoso player who wrote for other virtuosos. Listen to Franz Liszt or Rachmaninov what they did with his music. Far more than Paganini ever did.
Depends which emotions you are talking about.
Eugene Died, no he is a relatively young lad!
Any way, in this he not only could do Paganini, but he actually execute it like a weapon!!
Wich year was this recording?
What is that violin he played on??
A Guarnarius original
@@jgrace3108 It was actually a Sergio Peresson that he always said was a genuine Guarnerius-it was not.
Fodor's playing was always phenomenal but for mysterious reasons, his engagements got to be fewer and fewer and fewer. He stopped playing, stopped practicing, and finally gave up his Guarnerius violin too.
@@deborahm.fodor-bode5869 I thought they were. I humbly, humbly apologize.
@@deborahm.fodor-bode5869 I feel terrible. I'd never disrespect Eugene, I can't tell you how much I love his music & feel he's right up there with Heifetz & every other great. I listen to this concerto over & over again & am always moved by how humble he looks when taking his bow after the cadenza. I am dreadfully sorry to have made you feel bad for even an instant.
@@deborahm.fodor-bode5869 Do not apologize! You have nothing to be sorry about, you are just protecting your brother & his memory & your family. I would do the same. I am glad you took the time to call me on a comment that was so dry & abbreviated as to appear flippant or critical. It was thoughtless of me. I consider it an honor to talk to a member of Eugene's family! I will always remember this interaction & use it to try to do better, even from behind my keyboard.
I played with him he likes Paganini and Lalo better than Mendelssohn and Tchakovsky thuimbs up
Such a tragedy his life fell apart.
DCFunBud what a simple and unsophisticated comment about a life of 60 plus years.
@@glaucoma888 What would you call a great artist who lost his ability to play the violin due to his drinking and drug addiction, and died young of cirrhosis of the liver? His own children would not use his last name out of shame. I find your high-minded superiority insipid and shallow.
Not the biggest fan of this old school ultrasonic and always exactly same vibrato 😂
R.I.P Eugene Fodor