Magyar, Gabriel (1914-2011) | University of Illinois Archives

Gabriel Magyar (December 5, 1914- June 8, 2011) was a world renowned cellist and Professor of Cello and Chamber Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1972-1980. Born in Budapest, Magyar studied at the Franz Liszt Royal School of Music, until his early career was interrupted when he was detained at a concentration camp during WWII. After the war, Magyar came to the United States, where he accepted a position at the State University of Oklahoma from 1951-1956. In 1956, Magyar became a member of the world famous Hungarian String Quartet, internationally performing and recording music, especially that of Bela Bartok, for 16 years. After the Quartet disbanded, Magyar joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he inspired his colleagues and students well after his retirement.

Gabriel Magyar was also a talented artist, and his drawings were exhibited in the Urbana-Champaign area during the last ten years of his life. Magyar was a highly regarded musician, and he received numerous awards for his work as a cellist during his lifetime, including the Bartok Bela-Pasztory Ditta Award and the Grand Pris du Disque in Paris.

News-Gazatte.com obiturary for Gabriel Magyar

http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2011-06-10/gabriel-magyar.html