Tuesday 21 November 2017

Son of Greenock - Henri Temianka

This wonderful sculpture was on show at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock at the weekend.  It depicts violinist Henri Temianka (1906 - 1992) by sculptor Miriam Baker.


It was unveiled in Greenock last year on the 110th anniversary of his birth here in Rue End Street, Greenock to Polish immigrants.  They were part of the small Jewish community in the town.  Shortly afterwards the family moved to Rotterdam.


Temianka eventually moved to America where he achieved fame with the Paganini Quartet and many other notable orchestras.  Viki McDonnel of Greenock has done much research into the Jewish community in this area and she is responsible for the wonderful little booklet which you can see in the photograph.  She had been in touch with Henri's son Daniel in California in respect of her research into Greenock's Jewish community


The plaque reads:
Henri Temianka (1906 - 1992)
Violinist, Conductor, Educator, Writer
Son of Greenock
Founded and led the Paganini Quartet (1946 - 1966)
and California Chamber Symphony (1960 - 1990)
"You have a very simple choice: to create or not to create."
Bust by Miriam Baker

A very interesting and unusual piece of Greenock's history and heritage.

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