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J. J. Bistritzky is with us no more
The Arthur Rubinstein International Music Society and the Executive Committee mourn the death of Jan Jacob (Jasha) Bistritzky, founder of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition and its director for almost 30 years, who passed away on August 22, 2008.
In the 1970s, Bistritzky persuaded his friend Arthur Rubinstein to create a piano competition in the Maestro’s name and in 1974, having gained Rubinstein's support, established the competition. In 1974 and 1977, the first two years of the Competition, Arthur Rubinstein presided as Chairman of the Jury.
During the thirty years that Bistrizky directed it, the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition became one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world.
Bistritzky was born in Poland, studied arts in Warsaw and specialized in piano studies and theater. In Warsaw, he directed the Frederyk Chopin Institute and the Chopin Piano Competition, where he first met Arthur Rubinstein. In 1971, Bistritzky immigrated to Israel as a Zionist and modern socialistic ideologist. He strongly believed that the State of Israel should support the arts and artists, promote them and by doing so, help create a better world.
Bistritzky organized and directed the Arthur Rubinstein Competition with resolute and single-minded professionalism. He made contacts with well-known figures and received their wide support. He had an amazing capability of recruiting volunteers for his cause, and was highly appreciated by government bodies and public figures.
Jasha was a Polish gentleman in the classical meaning of the word and remained as such up until the end. He did not give in to compromises, had inexhaustible energy and possessed the extraordinary gift of executing his goals even if they seemed impossible to achieve.
In April 2008, Bistritzky was awarded the "Gloria Artis" Medal by the Ministry of Culture of Poland, the highest honor given by the State of Poland in the field of culture.
He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.
from left to right: Jasha Bistritzky, Idith Zvi (Director, Arthur Rubinstein International Music Society) and Roman Rabinovich
receiving Second Prize
at the
12th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition
Photo: Michael Cohen, March 2008
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