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Irwin Eisenberg Obituary
Irwin Eisenberg, violinist, passed away July 3, 2014. He was born in 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri and studied violin with the then concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony, Scipione Guidi, with Gustave Tinlot at the Eastman School of Music and eventually with Raphael Bronstein in New York. He was invited to join the Eastman School String Quartet and later founded the St. Louis String Quartet. After several seasons with the St. Louis Symphony he joined the Philadelphia Orchestra, remaining for 20 years during which time he co-founded the Philadelphia String Quartet. In 1966, after a highly successful tour of South America, Europe and the U.S., and a brilliant 6 concert Carnegie Hall debut, the Quartet become artists in residence at the University of Washington.
In 1968, the US State Department invited the Philadelphia String Quartet to become the first American string Quartet to perform in India. The two-month tour covered the entire country, with concerts played to great acclaim in 14 cities. This experience created a lifelong affection for the country in Irv, as well as for other members of the quartet.
Irv Eisenberg was the Director of the Chamber Music Institute at the Olympic Music Festival and coached with Chamber Music Madness, also performing extensively with the Seattle Symphony and as a member of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra.
Irv taught since 1938, impacting the lives and careers of thousands of students. He was a devoted and beloved teacher and coach. He is survived by his wife Teresa and his two sons, David and Don. Remembrances may be made to the Seattle Youth Symphony or the Olympic Music Festival. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for Irwin Eisenberg
Sponsored by The Family.
Beverly Gilyeart
October 20, 2021
Irv was a kind, wonderful man and an outstanding violinist. I was lucky to have had him for a teacher.
Nadia Aronson
July 7, 2021
We were blessed to have Irving in the Pacific Northwest.
Tess Lang
May 25, 2017
I was so fortunate to have Irv as my violin teacher during high school and college and receive instruction through Chamber music Madness. He was incredibly patient, kind, and always kept a light energy with a sprinkle of humor about himself. I was always amazed by his great talent and humility. I truly appreciated knowing him and Teresa and admired their beautiful marriage. His music plays on through all that he did and in the many lives that he touched. Thank you Irv, may you rest in peace.
February 16, 2015
My daughters and I were so fortunate to know Irv and Teresa through our friendship with Mary and Cyrus and Nicholas Noe. Irv was always so kind and thoughtful. He and Teresa were devoted to each other and were a model of a wonderful marriage. Kitty Burke and Erin and Rachel Burke Peterson
Trisha
July 31, 2014
I was lucky enough to have received a few private violin lessons from Irv back in the 90's - we would play Bartok together. He was genuine and brilliant.
Markus Klausli
July 28, 2014
I spent three summers learning from Irv at the Olympic Music Festival back in the 80's. Irv inspired me not only by his abilities on the violin but by his personal and positive way of coaching music. May God bless his memory.
Leslie Johanson
July 23, 2014
Irv coached 2 of my children and we will remember him with great fondness. He was very kind and patient. We will miss him!
Joyce Ramee
July 20, 2014
Irv was a great friend and colleague with a wonderful sense of humor. He was so much fun to be with and always stole the show in skits of all kinds! Great memories - I'll always think of Irv with a smile.
Bruce Sherman
July 19, 2014
Irv was the consummate teacher, but he was also a world famous performer. Fame was not really his thing though, and he was wonderfully down to earth. He will be hugely missed by all of those whose lives he enriched, including me.
Judy Knopp
July 16, 2014
Dear Theresa, Don and Dave,
I think of you each in your missing Irv, who was the center of so much good will, happiness, musical integrity and generosity. He was a wonderful musician, teacher and mentor, but also a great companion and lover of people through his music. He will live on with the rest of us through all these memories. My thoughts are with you all.
Judy Knopp
Julie Cascioppo
July 15, 2014
I will miss Irv's positive and happy attitude about life and the adventure of being a musician.
He and his lovely wife Teresa use to come and see me when I was first starting out as a jazz singer.
To have someone of his musical stature in the audience at the Jade East on 3rd and Stuart, in Seattle, was daunting. He never missed an opportunity to give encouragement and support where he could. He gave a lot back to music.
Your beautiful soul will be missed.
A friends always,
Julie Cascioppo
Philip Nation
July 15, 2014
Irv was an absolute fountain of musical knowledge and stories; he was also a good friend, mentor and colleague, helping me and so many others through challenging musical trials--particularly in his kind support and advice in making the original transition from student to professional. His love for the music was absolutely genuine, and often infectious! Being able to perform with him for so many years was a fun and educational experience--and an absolute honor. Irv will always be remembered with great love and respect!
William Goodwin
July 13, 2014
He was a wonderful teacher and example as a player. He cultivated my ability to analyze and think. I think of him often, and hope that I live up to the effort he invested in teaching me.
July 13, 2014
He always had a kind word for me. He never knew how much it help during my difficult early days at the U of W School of Music
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