Artist
Erica Morini
Erika Morini Siracusano (January 5, 1904 – October 31 or November 1, 1995) was an Austrian and American violinist.
Morini was born in Vienna, and received her first instruction from her father, Oscar Morini (originally spelled Oser or Ojser, family name Moritz), who was the director of his own music school in Vienna, and from Rosa Hochmann. She completed her studies at the Vienna Conservatory under Otakar Ševčík, who was also the teacher of Jan Kubelik.
Erika's mother was Malka Morini, née Weissmann. Her father was born at Czernowitz in Bukovina, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Morini had six siblings: Alice, a pianist; Stella, violinist; Haydee, dancer; Frank, art dealer; and Albert Morini, impresario concert manager. Her cousin, Louis Morris (originally Moritz), was a clarinetist for John Philip Sousa's band (1907–1921).
When she made her début in 1916, with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic, under Arthur Nikisch, the critics made no allowance for her youth, but spoke of her work as the equal of that of the most famous of the younger generation of violinists. On the voyage from Europe to New York, Morini and her cousin Louis played violin and clarinet for the first-class passengers aboard the ship, and were given first-class accommodations on account of their popularity. Her American début at the age of seventeen in New York City on January 26, 1921 was one of the musical sensations of the year.
Morini was born in Vienna, and received her first instruction from her father, Oscar Morini (originally spelled Oser or Ojser, family name Moritz), who was the director of his own music school in Vienna, and from Rosa Hochmann. She completed her studies at the Vienna Conservatory under Otakar Ševčík, who was also the teacher of Jan Kubelik.
Erika's mother was Malka Morini, née Weissmann. Her father was born at Czernowitz in Bukovina, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Morini had six siblings: Alice, a pianist; Stella, violinist; Haydee, dancer; Frank, art dealer; and Albert Morini, impresario concert manager. Her cousin, Louis Morris (originally Moritz), was a clarinetist for John Philip Sousa's band (1907–1921).
When she made her début in 1916, with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic, under Arthur Nikisch, the critics made no allowance for her youth, but spoke of her work as the equal of that of the most famous of the younger generation of violinists. On the voyage from Europe to New York, Morini and her cousin Louis played violin and clarinet for the first-class passengers aboard the ship, and were given first-class accommodations on account of their popularity. Her American début at the age of seventeen in New York City on January 26, 1921 was one of the musical sensations of the year.
CD releases
All releases →
Never miss what moves in classical music
Subscribe to our newsletter.