Oscar Shumsky: The Marvelous Musical Former Child Prodigy

Musical prodigies receive a lot of appreciation and recognition. Most musical Prodigies were able to get an excellent platform to perform and showcase their talent. They possess the skill of leaving people in awe after they watch them perform. People have adored this prodigious talent for decades and more to an incredible level. A Prodigy who had impressed every individual with his inexplicable skills who came along his way is Oscar Shumsky.

Oscar Shumsky’s Prodigious Journey

Shumsky was born in Philadelphia in 1973. He started learning violin when he was just three. Shumsky shocked the people around when Oscar did a debut at 7 in a concert with Philadelphia Orchestra. Leopold believed Shumsky to be the most extraordinary genius he has ever had. Oscar studied at the Curtis Institute of music from Leopold Aurora for almost eight years and then went onto study with Efrem Zimbalist. Shumsky played his first Violin in the Primrose Quartet. He made his New York debut in 1934 and Vienna Debut in 1936.

Other Interests

There are several things about Shumsky and his interests that most people didn’t know. His interests even include Photography. He was a dedicated amateur photographer but had excellent and beautiful skills.
Ansel Adam appreciated Shumsky for his excellent photography talent. Adams was also an amateur pianist but a professional photographer. Shumsky was his opposite, but they’d make a great duo. Another lesser-known fact about Oscar was that he served in the US Navy. He even had interests in photomicroscopy. Shumsky is an intelligent individual who has a wide variety of interests and incredible learning capability. For the first time in the US and Britain in 30 years, Oscar performed when he got back into recording and performing in concerts in 1981.

Recognition and Appreciation Shumsky Received as a Prodigy

Shumsky taught at many prestigious universities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Curtis Institute, Peabody Conservatory, Yale University, and the Julliard School in New York. He got the Ford Foundation Award in 1965. Oscar has recorded several works of Eugene Ysaye’s solo violin. Many famous Violinists appreciated him; New Grove said that Oscar has pure style and refined taste and concentrates on teaching and conducting. According to Oscar, Chamber music playing, and another violinist David Oistrakh is one of the world’s greatest violinists.

Oscar wasn’t just a prodigious musical talent. Still, he also was a loving and intellectual human being, and such remarkability in one person needs consideration and acknowledgment. Prodigies like Oscar make so much of a contribution in the music industry without even realizing it. We cannot forget the amount of talent, time, and uniqueness they have showered upon the people with their music even after ages. Prodigies leave marks on the entire field of work through talent and skills, constantly adding to the wonders created in this world. Thus, we need to acknowledge and provide them the support and stage they need to move ahead in their journey to do unbelievable things they should do.

Also read: Samuel Barber: Prodigious Musical Composer of the Twentieth Century