Raymond Gniewek

Raymond Gniewek (November 13, 1931 – October 1, 2021) was an American violinist.

Biography Gniewek was born in East Meadow, New York, to Jacenta Gniewek and to Leocadia Gniewek (née Kurowska). His sister Cecilia was a pianist. Gniewek began began his musical education in New York City. He continued musical studies at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Andre de Ribaupierre and Joseph Knitzer, becoming concertmaster of the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra and associate concertmaster of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Erich Leinsdorf. Other teachers were the Canadian violinist Albert Pratz and Raphael Bronstein of New York City.

Gniewek served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra for 43 years, the second American-born music to hold the post. His final performance as concertmaster with the orchestra was a concert performance in Carnegie Hall of Béla Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle in 2000.

Following his retirement from the Metropolitan Opera, Gniewek relocated to Naples, Florida, where he played violin with Opera Naples. Gniewek died in Naples, Florida on 1 October 2021. This marriage ended in divorce. His third marriage was to soprano Judith Blegen. Blegen, his daughter Susan, his stepson, seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survived him. His daughter Davi Loren predeceased him, in May 2021.

Videography Mozart: Idomeneo (1982), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4234, 2006 The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala (1983), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4538, 2009 The Metropolitan Opera Gala 1991, Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4582, 2010 James Levine's 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala (1996), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, B0004602-09, 2005