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Christine Walevska (born March 8, 1945, Los Angeles) is an American classical cellist. She is known for her numerous recordings with Philips Records and performing concerts worldwide. In 1975, she became the first concert musician to perform in Cuba under the regime of Fidel Castro. The music critic Antonio Hernandez of the Brazilian newspaper O Globo referred to Walevska as the "goddess of the cello," a moniker to which she has often since been referred.

Stolen cello

When Christine was small, her father bought her a rare antique concert-quality children's cello, hoping to spur her interest in the instrument, which it did. After she graduated to a full size cello, the instrument was stolen, and its whereabouts remained unknown for 40 years. When finally found, the current owner (who did not know it had been stolen) had rented it out to another very young but supremely talented cellist, whose family had spent years looking for a concert quality instrument suitable for a young cellist. After meeting the young girl, who loved the instrument as she did, Christine decided not to pursue retrieving her stolen property until after the student had graduated to a larger cello.

CD releases

• Decca Classics 480 4532 | 5CD | Christine Walevska - Legendary Recordings / Philips original releases (p)2010
• Leaf Music LM206 | 1CD | Christine Walevska - The Goddess of Cello (p)2017
• Rhine Classics RH-034 | 8CD | CHRISTINE WALEVSKA | private archive recordings (p)2024 | reviews | works by: Bach, Sancan, Tchaikovsky, Bolognini, Ravel, Haydn/Piatigorsky, Nin, Saint-Saëns, Françaix, Ginastera, Bloch, Couperin/Bazelaire, Prokofiev, Debussy, Weber/Piatigorsky, Chopin/Piatigorsky, Chopin/Fournier, Brahms, Dvorak, Popper, Piazzolla, W.Schuman, Hindemith, Beethoven.

References

1. Triplett, Gene (28 February 1983). "Renowned Concert Cellist Breaks 'Dowdy' Stereotype". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
2. Janof, Tim (8 February 2009). "Conversation with Christine Walevska". Internet Cello Society. Archived from the original on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
3. Fusilli, Jim (9 January 2013). "Melancholy Baby". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
4. "The mystery of a stolen rare cello has a surprise ending". Los Angeles Times. 22 July 2020.

External links

• Official website

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