Obituary - DR. LEV ISAACOVICH GUREVICH

Submitted by the family

Revered violin teacher Dr. Lev Isaacovich Gurevich passed away on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. A beacon of classical music performance and instruction in the Central Florida community, he was loved by all his students and colleagues but most of all by his beloved wife, Michele Gurevich and his son, Michael “Misha” Gurevich. He is also survived by his daughter, Vera Gubnitskaia; her husband, Lee Foster, of Orlando; and grandchildren, Polina Gubnitskaia and Daniel Foster. He is also survived by former spouses Svetlana Gubnitskaya and Zalina Gurevich.

Dr. Gurevich first learned violin in his hometown of Moscow, Russia, at the age of 7 with Miss Kisilova, a family friend. He then studied at the Children’s Music School of Moscow and then the Central Music School of Moscow known as SAMSHA, where his music teacher was his uncle Simeon Ilyich Bezrodny. Later he studied at Glinka Music Conservatory in Novosibirsk, USSR, where he received his Conservatoria and Aspirantura degrees, focusing in chamber music, solo and string quartet. There, he performed with his quartet who played for renowned violinist Dmitri Shastakovich.

Dr. Gurevich, a violin virtuoso, won the Shostakovich Competition that was judged and awarded by the composer himself. He was the soloist and principle of the Novosibirsk Opera Orchestra while a student at the conservatory, and where he was allowed to begin his postdoctoral studies with professor Tsiganov. “It was a great five years,” said Dr. Gurevich.

Though initially accepted, he was denied entrance to The Moscow Conservatory due to discrimination against Jews at the time. Eventually, at the age of 24, he was allowed to begin his post-doctoral studies there.

He emigrated to the United States in 1980, where he became member of the Florida Symphony Orchestra and subsequently served as concertmaster, as well as concertmaster of the Bach Festival Orchestra.

As a violin teacher, he taught students of all ages for 40 years. Over the decades he coached and inspired his students to become professional orchestra players, concertmasters and international competition winners. Most notable, one of his students is concertmaster of The New World Symphony, another a concertmaster at Tanglewood Festival, and another was a competitor at the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium, which is the most prestigious competition in the world.

Through his passion for teaching and humble, gentle demeanor, he fostered relationships with students and their families.

His love of music and dedication to our community will sorely be missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts and music of those who loved him.

Arrangements entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando FL 32810, 407-599-1180, http://www.bethshalommemorialchapel.com.