Rostal, Max (1905–1991)

Austrian-born British violinist. He studied with Rosé and Flesch and in 1927 became leader of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1930 to 1933 he was professor at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik. From 1934 he lived in England and from 1944 to 1958 was professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. Among his many pupils were members of the Amadeus Quartet. Although much of his time was spent teaching, his technical excellence and musicianship made him one of the leading violinists of his day. He was professor at the Cologne State Academy from 1957 and the Bern Conservatory from 1958. He was created CBE in 1977.