Erich Gruenberg

Erich Gruenberg (12 October 19247 August 2020) was an Austrian-born British violinist and teacher. Following studies in Israel, he was a principal violinist of major orchestras, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was an international soloist, playing the first performance of Britten's Violin Concerto in Moscow. As a chamber musician, he was leader of the London String Quartet and recorded all Beethoven violin sonatas with pianist David Wilde. He was the lead violinist for The Beatles' album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Gruenberg taught at the Royal Academy of Music until age 95, influencing generations of violinists.

Life and career Gruenberg was born in Vienna in 1924, the son of Kathrine and Herman Gruenberg. He moved to Mandatory Palestine in 1938, where he studied at the Jerusalem Conservatory. After graduating in 1941, he became a concertmaster of the Palestine Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra.

Gruenberg was made an OBE in 1994. He played a Stradivarius violin, dated 1731.

Gruenberg died in Hampstead Garden Suburb on 7 August 2020