NEWTON, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts violin instructor from Poland whose nine-decade career featured concert performances before kings and presidents has died. Roman Totenberg was 101.
Totenberg's family says he died of kidney failure early Tuesday at his home in Newton, a Boston suburb. He was surrounded by one of his three daughters and other relatives.
Daughter Jill Totenberg says her father "has students in virtually every major orchestra in the United States and several others in Europe."
Totenberg began performing at age 7. His passion for violin and teaching continued up to the day before he died, with him asking visiting former students to perform at his bedside, showing fingering techniques to others and whispering feedback on performances.
A memorial service is planned in the fall.
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