Ruggiero Ricci (1918–2012) was an American violinist. He was best known for his performances and recordings of the Italian violinist and composer Niccole Paganini. He was suggested as the Paganini of the 20th century. He made over 500 recordings and played at 5,000 concerts.
Born into a musical family in San Francisco, Ricci began studying the violin when he was six and was trained by Yehudi Menuhin’s teacher, Louis Persinger. His genius was soon noticed when he won a local violin competition. He made his full recital début in San Francisco in 1928. He went to study in Berlin before returning home to work with Persinger again.
After further study with Mischel Piastro and Georg Kulenkampff, Ricci began upon his maiden European tour in 1932, making his début in London with Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. He played for Albert Einstein at the California Institute of Technology in 1932. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, becoming an “entertainment specialist” who played for the troops.
Ricci taught at Indiana University, Juilliard School, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. His many recordings include Niccolò Paganini, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ruggiero Ricci
A specialist is someone who does everything else worse.
—Ruggiero Ricci
Topics: Experts, Professionalism
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