Raymond Gniewek (November 13, 1931 – October 1, 2021) was an American violinist.
He served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra for 43 years; upon his appointment in 1957 at age 26, he was the youngest person to ever hold the post. He also enjoyed a career as a soloist.[1] His final performance as concertmaster with the orchestra was a concert performance in Carnegie Hall of Béla Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle in 2000.[2]
Gniewek was a native of New York City where he began his musical education; he continued at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Andre de Ribaupierre and Joseph Knitzer, becoming concertmaster of the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra and associate concertmaster of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Erich Leinsdorf. Other teachers were the Canadian violinist Albert Pratz and Raphael Bronstein of New York City.[3]
Gniewek was married to soprano Judith Blegen.[4] He was formerly married to ballet dancer and Pilates instructor Lolita San Miguel.[5] His sister is Cecilia Brauer who plays celesta and glass harmonica in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.[6]
Gniewek was born in East Meadow, New York,[5] and died on October 1, 2021.[7] [8]