Aldo Parisot

Aldo Simoes Parisot

Early life and musical training Born in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, Parisot began studying cello at age seven with his stepfather, Tomazzo Babini. From Babini, he learned the importance of playing without unnecessary tension—something he credits as the foundation for the rest of his career.

From 1956 to 1996, Parisot owned the De Munck Stradivarius.

In 1966, he was a soloist with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, in the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, in the summer series.

Parisot's performance at Tanglewood of Donald Martino's Parisonatina al'Dodecafonia for solo cello—a piece written for Parisot—received many favorable reviews, including from Harold Schonberg of The New York Times and from The Boston Globe.

Master classes Parisot regularly gave master classes at the Banff Centre from 1980 to 2007, in addition to his regular teaching at the Yale Summer School in Norfolk, and at several other summer festivals. In 1984, Parisot gave a month's worth of master classes in China, where he auditioned prospective students, and the following year he was invited back. Beginning in 1987, he gave master classes and performances at the Jerusalem Music Center in Israel. He also taught at the Great Mountains Music Festival and School at the Yongpyong resort. He gave master classes at the Sibelius Academy in November 1991. In Seoul, Parisot offered courses of master classes at the Chung-Ang University beginning May 1994. He also held master classes at the Manchester International Cello Festival, and conducted a large cello ensemble. In January 2000 he toured Taiwan performing with the teaching staff to aid earthquake relief victims.

Alan Rich of New York has commented about these master classes: Parisot died at his home in Guilford, Connecticut, on December 29, 2018, aged 100.

Awards and recognitions Parisot received numerous awards and honors over the years, including gold medals and honorary citizenships from Lebanon and Brazil.

In 1980 Parisot was awarded the Eva Janzer "Chevalier du Violoncelle" by Indiana University In September 1982, he was awarded the United Nations Peace Medal following his performance at its Staff Day ceremonies In 1983 he received the Artist/Teacher Award presented by the American String Teachers Association A Yale faculty member since 1958, Aldo Parisot was named the Samuel Sanford Professor of Music at Yale in 1994. In May 1997, Parisot received the Governor's Arts Award from the State of Connecticut