Christine Walevska (born March 8, 1945,
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
) is an American classical cellist. She is known for her numerous recordings with
Philips Records
Philips Records is a record label founded by the Dutch electronics company Philips. It was founded as Philips Phonographische Industrie in 1950. In 1946, Philips acquired the company which pressed records for British Decca's Dutch outlet in ...
and performing concerts worldwide. In 1975, she became the first concert musician to perform in
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
under the regime of
Fidel Castro. The music critic Antonio Hernandez of the Brazilian newspaper ''
O Globo
''O Globo'' (, ''The Globe'') is a Brazilian newspaper based in Rio de Janeiro. ''O Globo'' is the most prominent print publication in the Grupo Globo media conglomerate.
Founded by journalist Irineu Marinho, owner of '' A Noite'', it was ori ...
'' 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.
References
External links
Official website
Living people
1945 births
Musicians from Los Angeles
American classical cellists
Classical musicians from California
American women classical cellists
21st-century American women
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