American musician (1931–2021)
Raymond Gniewek (November 13, 1931 – October 1, 2021) was an American violinist.
He served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra for 43 years; upon his appointment in 1957 at age 26, he was the youngest person to ever hold the post. He also enjoyed a career as a soloist.[1] His final performance as concertmaster with the orchestra was a concert performance in Carnegie Hall of Béla Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle in 2000.[2]
Gniewek was a native of New York City, where he began his musical education; he continued 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 under Erich Leinsdorf. Other teachers were the Canadian violinist Albert Pratz and Raphael Bronstein of New York City.[3]
Gniewek was married to soprano Judith Blegen.[4] He was formerly married to ballet dancer and Pilates instructor Lolita San Miguel.[5] His sister is Cecilia Brauer who plays celesta and glass harmonica in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.[6]
Gniewek was born in East Meadow, New York,[5] and died on October 1, 2021.[7][8]
