Chaim Taub (✝)

Chaim Taub (1 August 1925 – 25 December 2024) was a distinguished Israeli violinist, concertmaster, and music educator whose influence spanned decades in both performance and pedagogy.

Born in Tel Aviv, Taub began studying the violin at age nine. He trained under Ödön Pártos at the Tel Aviv Academy and later studied with Ivan Galamian at the Juilliard School in New York from 1947 to 1951. Following his studies, he joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra before returning to Israel in 1959. From 1969 to 1988, he served as the concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, shaping its sound and mentoring a generation of musicians.

In 1959, Taub co-founded the Tel Aviv String Quartet, which gained international recognition through performances with artists like Daniel Barenboim and András Schiff.

Taub was also a dedicated educator. He led masterclasses worldwide, and many of his students went on to win competitions and secure positions in leading orchestras . In the 1980s and 1990s, he directed the Rolandseck Summer Courses in Germany, inviting young Israeli musicians to study and perform in a region marked by historical significance. These courses evolved into the Rolandseck Festival, where Taub remained a central figure .

Chaim Taub passed away on 25 December 2024 in Ramat HaSharon at the age of 99. His legacy endures through his contributions to music performance and education.