Background
Serkin, Rudolf was born on March 28, 1903 in Eger, Bohemia. Son of Mordko Serkin and Augusta (Schargl).
Serkin, Rudolf was born on March 28, 1903 in Eger, Bohemia. Son of Mordko Serkin and Augusta (Schargl).
Studied piano with Richard Robert. Studied composition with J. Marx and Arnold Schoenberg. Doctor of Music, Curtis Institute Music.
Doctor of Music, Williams College. Doctor of Music, Temple University. Doctor of Music, University Vermont.
Doctor of Music, Oberlin College, Ohio. Doctor of Music, University Rochester. Doctor of Music, Harvard University, 1973.
Doctor of Music, Marlboro College. Doctor of Music (honorary), New England Conservatory Music, 1985.
Debut with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra 1915. With Adolf Busch in a series of sonatas for violin and piano. American debut 1933; appeared with Toscanini 1935, with National Orchestral Association 1937.
Annual tours of the United States of America since 1934. Head Piano Department, later Director, Curtis Institute of Music, resigned 1976. Artistic Director and President Marlboro School of Music.
Fellow American Academy, of Arts and Sciences.
European concert debut as guest artist with Vienna Symphony Orchestra, 1915. Began concert career in solo, concerto and chamber music recitals, Europe, 1920. Appeared with Adolf Busch in series of sonatas for violin and piano, with Busch Chamber Players in the Bach suites and Brandenburg concertos.Debut in American, Coolidge Festival, Washington, 1933. Launched concert career in the United States with New York Philharmonic under Toscanini, 1936. Played over 10 series of Concerti from Bach to McDowell, with National Orchestra Association, 1937.With Adolf Busch. Played complete series of Beethoven piano and violin sonatas, New York City, 1938. Made annual concert tours in the United States since, 1934.Recent appearances include Carnegie Hall Concert, New York City, 1987, performance of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, 1988. Frequent participant Casals Festival, from 1950. Numerous recordings.Performances at The White House, 1966, 70. Considered child prodigy at age of 4.
Fellow American Academy Arts and Sciences. Member Academy Nationale di Santa Cecilia (Rome) (honorary), Verein Beethoven Haus (Bonn), Neue Bachgesellschaft (Bonn), Philharmonic Symphony Society New York, American Philosophical Society, Riemenschneider Bach Institute.
Son of; married Irene Busch. Children: Ursula, Elisabeth, John, Susan (deceased), Peter, Judith, Marguerite.