The Soviet-born violinist taught at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf
Violinist Rosa Fain has died aged 96. Born in Odesa in 1929, Fain studied with Pyotr Stolyarsky and Benjamin Mordkovich at the Odesa Conservatory, and with David Oistrakh at the Moscow Conservatoire. She and Oistrakh would later become stage-partners. Fain won prestigious competitions including the 3rd Wieniawski Violin Competition in 1957, and performed as the soloist of the Kyiv Philharmonic for two years. Later, she served as a jury member for important events including the Joseph Joachim Violin Compeititon, the International Leopold Mozart Competitoin, and the ARD competition.
Fain began teaching at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf in 1979, in addition to teaching masterclasses internationally. Ali Can Puskulcu, a former student, was among many that paid tribute to the teacher on social media:
‘She was a hero to me—not only musically but also as a mentor. After a somewhat turbulent semester around 2009-10, she graciously accepted me into her very small violin studio at Robert Schumann Hochschule für Musik in Düsseldorf. She was already in her early 80s, yet she taught me twice a week, often for more than 90 minutes each session—an extraordinary commitment that few would make.
‘Rosa gave me invaluable insights into making music breathe, shaping phrases, and using the bow with intention. Her mastery of bow speed and divisions was nothing short of magical. I still remember going to her apartment on Nordstraße for lessons, where our conversations would extend beyond music—she would share stories, memories of musicians’ past, and profound lessons that stayed with me. She was the very embodiment of wisdom.
‘I am deeply grateful for all she shared with me… Rest in peace, dear Rosa. You will always be remembered.’
Read: Remembering the great violinist David Oistrakh
Watch: David Oistrakh performs Debussy’s The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
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