|
In 1998 Mr. Ricci celebrated his 80th birthday and an extraordinary concert career spanning 70 years. His debut in 1928 at the age of 10 in San Francisco playing a formidable programme of works by Vieuxtemps, Saint-Saens, Mendelssohn and Wieniawski, astounded the audience and started him on the road to early stardom. His consecration as a world class "wunderkind", one of this century's few authentic prodigies, came in New York when the leading critic of the day wrote: "All that great violinists do, he did." His discography lists more than 500 recordings, including 65 CDs. His fourth recording of the Paganini Caprices was made for the first time on Paganini's own Guarneri, exceptionall y lent to Ricci by the City of Genoa. At last count, Ricci has performed over 6000 concerts in 65 countries. Ricci's first teacher, from the age of six, was Louis Persinger. He later studied with Michel Piastro, Paul Stassevitch and Georg Kulenkampf. Past teaching posts include Indiana University, the Julliard School and the University of Michigan. His book, Left Hand Violin Technique is published by G.Schirmer. Mr. Ricci has retired from the Mozarteum Akademie in Salzburg, Austria. He and Mrs. Ricci currently reside in California. His friendship with Jascha Heifetz spanned over fifty years.
"The freshness,
vigor and ease of interpretation of this incredible performer attest to
a technical mastery that remains almost unparalleled." |