Obituary of Israel Chorberg

In memory of Israel Chorberg April 27th, 1929 - March 28th, 2015 The orchestra in the sky gained its concertmaster on March 28th, when Israel Chorberg took his talents to a much bigger stage. Israel was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, the son of Nachman Chorberg and Taube Mendelsberg, both born in Poland. Nachman was a tailor, and Israel’s older brothers Mauricio and Abraham became an engineer and an architect, respectively. Taube was a tireless social and cultural activist, who helped facilitate the immigration of European Jewish refugees and was a frequent host to visiting world-famous Yiddish artists. His career as a world-class violinist began in Uruguay where his music teachers were Huna Gleizer, Ilya Fidlon, and Camilo Giucci. There, he honed his skills and performed extensively both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles, recorded many works by major Uruguayan composers, and won a place in Uruguay’s leading quartet, Cuarteto del SODRE. In 1960, having won the 1st prize in a Uruguayan soloist competition, he was invited by the Ministry of Culture of the USSR, to study in the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, for three years, becoming the first Latin American violinist to have a scholarship in the Soviet Union. In 1966, he arrived in the USA, and soon after auditioned for the great Leopold Stokowski, who immediately hired him as Assistant Concertmaster. When Stokowski decided to return to Great Britain, he asked Israel to come with him to become Concertmaster. He declined, in order to continue to pursue his USA career and raise his daughter in New York City. For a period of about 15 years, Israel performed as soloist for the famous impresario, Sol Hurok, and as concertmaster for all the foreign Ballet Companies performing at Lincoln Center. He was Concertmaster for the American Ballet Theater Orchestra during its heyday in the 70’s – the period of Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov. He also played for the Mostly Mozart Festiva, the medieval and baroque music group Pro Musica, The New York Philharmonic, and recorded albums with the likes of Tony Bennett, Madonna, Whitney Houston, as well as the soundtracks for countless movies. Israel performed all over the United States, as well as Russia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Germany, France, Lithuania and Ukraine among other countries. After the fall of the Uruguayan military dictatorship in 1985, Israel organized and played a critically acclaimed chamber music series with distinguished Uruguayan soloists. As impressive as his musical talents were, there aren't enough words to describe the kind of human being he was. Always jovial and ready to crack a joke, but more importantly, willing to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone in need. His generosity knew no limits. And his love for his family and friends was beyond measure. Israel is survived by his wife Tamara, with whom he created some beautiful harmonies on and off the stage. Their combined musicality on the piano and violin translated into a loving relationship that kept them together through all the highs and lows of the past two decades, sharing beautiful moments as well as some very sad ones. But through it all, their love kept them together and helped Israel make it through his final days. He also leaves behind his adored children, Adriana and Pablo Zinger, Andrea and Claudio Aguerriberry, and Martin and Cheryl Untrojb, as well as five grandchildren, Sofía, Ilana, Natasha, Benjamin and Jason and his brother Abraham.