Biography
Lewis was born in London to a South African mother and an English father. His mother was a pianist and his father a cellist. Lewis showed natural musical ability at a young age, and began taking violin lessons at the age of five. He entered the Royal College of Music at the age of 11 and won a scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City four years later. He studied with Dorothy DeLay and Ivan Galamian at Juilliard.
Lewis made his professional debut at the age of 17, performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra. He went on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also appeared as a soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic, among others.
In addition to his career as a concert violinist, Lewis was also an accomplished chamber musician. He was a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Vermeer String Quartet. He also collaborated with many of the world's leading pianists, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Emanuel Ax, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Lewis taught violin at the Juilliard School and the Royal College of Music. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. He wrote a number of books on violin playing, including "The Art of Violin Playing" and "The Virtuoso Violinist."
Lewis died in London on March 2, 2021. He was 68 years old.
Awards and recognition
Lewis won numerous awards and recognitions for his violin playing. He won the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1974, and the Queen Elizabeth Competition in 1976. He was also awarded the Gramophone Award for Best Instrumental Recording in 1993 for his recording of the Beethoven Violin Concerto.
Lewis was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000 for his services to music. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.
Legacy
Lewis is considered one of the greatest violinists of his generation. He was known for his beautiful tone, technical virtuosity, and musical sensitivity. He inspired a generation of violinists, and his recordings continue to be enjoyed by music lovers around the world.