Emanuel Hurwitz

British chamber violin player and professor. Born 7 May 1919 in Aldgate, East London, England, UK – Died 19 November 2006 in London, England, UK He studied at the Royal Academy of Music. The 2nd World War interrupted his career with a spell in the Royal Army Medical Corps Staff Band. After the war, he founded and played in the Hurwitz String Quartet (1946-1951) and became member of the Goldsbrough Orchestra/English Chamber Orchestra in 1948. He became leader of the ECO and held the position for 20 years, until 1968. He also led the Melos Ensemble Of London (1956-1972) as Principal Violin. In 1968, he formed the Hurwitz Chamber Orchestra, renamed The Serenata Of London in 1972. In 1969, he became leader of the New Philharmonia Orchestra; he left in 1971. In 1970, he joined the Aeolian String Quartet as leader; this was the quartet's last incarnation, that lasted until the group disbanded in 1981. For many years he was Pofessor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1978. Father of Mike Hurwitz and father-in-law of Miriam Keogh.