Irene Stolofsky

Irene Stolofsky (1896 – July 28, 1950), sometimes billed as Irene Stolofsky Davis after 1926, was a violinist from Chicago. She made several recordings in the 1910s, and toured the United States and Canada on the Chautauqua circuit in the 1920s.

Irene Stolofsky
A young white woman with cropped hair in curls at her ears and cheeks.
Irene Stolofsky, from a 1922 publication
Born1896 (1896)
Chicago, U.S.
Died (aged 54)
Chicago, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesIrene Stolofsky Davis (after 1926)
OccupationViolinist

Early life

Stolofsky was born in Chicago,[1] the daughter of Meyer Stolofsky and Anna Barkman Stolofsky.[2][3] She trained as a violinist with Hugh (Harry) Dimond at the Metropolitan Conservatory of Music in Chicago.[4][5]

Career
A young white woman with short dark hair, wearing a lace dress and holding a violin.
Irene Stolofsky with her violin, from a 1919 publication

Stolofsky made several recordings between 1915 and 1917.[6] In the 1919–1920 season, she toured with Bohumir Kryl's Orchestral Sextette, as the group's leader.[7] She was active on the Chautauqua circuit in the 1920s, billed as the Irene Stolofsky Company, working with various vocalists and pianists, including Grace Johnson Konold, George Imbrie, Magdalene Massman, and Herbert Macfarren.[8][9][10] "Miss Stolofsky is quite a dazzling virtuoso," wrote one California critic in 1923, "She is very certain in her technique, and never flinches at such an exhibition of fireworks as is contained in Hubay's Scenes de la Szarda. At the same time she has a singing tone of great power and depth."[11]

She continued playing for audiences, though not on national tours, after her marriage in 1926.[12] She was still performing and teaching violin in the Chicago area in 1944, when she appeared in a musical program by the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs.[13]

Personal life

Irene Stolofsky married Meyer Davis in October 1926.[14] She died in 1950, aged 54 years, in Chicago.[15]

References
  1. "Child in Years, but Rare Artist". The Ligonier Echo. June 23, 1926. p. 7. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Sensational Success of Young Artist". The Kinsley Mercury. May 31, 1923. p. 6. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Death notice, Irene Stolofsky Davis". Chicago Tribune. July 30, 1950. p. 26. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Untitled news item". The Violinist. 17: 42. March 1914.
  5. "Well Known Violinist To Appear at Stetson Auditorium". Stetson Collegiate Weekly. February 13, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  6. Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Irene Stolofsky (instrumentalist : violin)" accessed December 8, 2019.
  7. "Bohomir Kryl Organizes Orchestra Sextette for Season of 1919–20". Lyceum News. 9: 13. March 1919.
  8. Irene Stolofsky concert violinist, Herbert Macfarren composer-pianist, Redpath Chautauqua Collection, University of Iowa Libraries.
  9. "The Irene Stolofsky Company". Lyceum News. 1: 5. January 1922.
  10. The Irene Stolofsky Company, Redpath Chautauqua Collection, University of Iowa Libraries.
  11. Swinford, Hope H. (January 27, 1923). "Delightful Concert by Stolofsky Co". Santa Cruz Evening News. p. 4. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  12. "Woman's Club to Hear Violin Program Wednesday". Kenosha News. January 16, 1934. p. 4. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Untitled news item". Chicago Tribune. March 5, 1944. p. 54. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Marriage announcements". The Jewish Sentinel. October 22, 1926. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  15. "Mrs. Meyer Davis". Chicago Tribune. July 29, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved December 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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