Efrem Zimbalist (April 9, 1889-February 22, 1985) was one of the worlds most prominent violinists, as well as a composer and conductor.
Born in Rostov on Don to a conductor, by age nine he was first violin in his fathers orchestra. At age 12 he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory and studied under Leopold Auer. After graduation he debuted in Berlin and London in 1907 and in the US in 1911, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
He married prominent soprano Alma Gluck and they toured together for a time. Their son, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., became a popular actor. Gluck died in 1935.
In 1928, Zimbalist began teaching at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. In 1938 he married the schools founder, Mary Louise Curtis Bok. He became director of the school from 1941 to 1968.
His own compositions include a tone poem called Daphnis and Chloe.
