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Hometown Triumph and California Here We Come! I t was very gratifying that my parents, although disappointed that I avoided a big wedding in Portland, were delighted with my bride. My father was greatly upset to learn we planned to live in Los Angeles . He always assumed I would settle in Portland when I married. Since I usually avoided contesting his opinions, only Annette constantly defended my decision when future plans were discussed. Papa sadly commented , ''Annette has not married the family, she's just right for Louis. She's just as crazy as he is." However, they were mollified by the universal praise that followed my homecoming performance, which vindicated their long years ofsupport for my studies: Portland Oregonian (by Hilmar Grondahl) 22 November 1933 Louis Kaufman Wins Symphony Audience Portland proudly proclaimed one of her own last night when Louis Kaufman, native-born violinist, made his orchestral debut with the Symphony ... . The subject he chose for his homecoming appearance was Max Bruch's violin concerto in G minor. From the intensity of the applause , which the thousands seated in the large hall sent forth, it was apparent that musical Portland was both proud and pleased by his return and success. The concerto lies comfortably within the abilities ofthe soloist. It accommodates his vibrant tone. It responds to the free play ofhis effortless technique. Its rhythmic diversities are splendidly within his control. The ro6 Hometown Triumph and California Here We Come! • composition displayed its beauties so eloquently through his interpretation that the audience was delighted. PortlandNews Telegram (by Emil Enna) 22 November 1933 Soloist Winner Kaufman Feature ofBrilliant Symphony Concert The brilliant performance of the orchestra was surpassed by the brilliancy of the soloist, Louis Kaufman, one of Portland's own musicians who recently returned. He played the magnificent Bruch G minor concerto and proved to be a most satisfying artist. He is a violinist of dynamic ability and a poet of interpretation. He is bountifully endowed with every technical gift but overshadowing all is his exquisite musical fineness. A veritable ovation was tendered at the conclusion. This laudatory review was crowned by a brief tribute from the PortlandJournal 's editorial section: 23 November 1933 His Hometown Triumph Portland is discovering some ofits own talent that has already won recognition elsewhere. Monday night at the Auditorium as soloist ofthe Portland Symphony, Louis Kaufman heard his hometown applaud him as he has been applauded in the East and in Europe for several seasons. His violin sang eloquently in response to the talented and intensively trained touch as it has many times before, but behind it all seemed a more intimate touch born of the occasion. Kaufman was playing for his parents, his friends and his fellow citizens.... The idea is excellent. Mischa Elman arrived to playa beautiful recital in Portland, which we greatly enjoyed. After the program, he invited us to join him at a nearby cafe. Surprised by my decision to settle in Los Angeles, he observed , "Louis, you have a fine reputation in New York and you belong there. Your nature is too gentle for Los Angeles, where I've been told that musicians are apt to be jealous and cruel to confreres." I quietly replied , "I'd like to try it." Mischa kindly added, "Well, I'll give you names of people who may be helpful in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Abrasha Koodlach, a fine violin and bow repairman in Los Angeles, takes care of my violins and bows." We appreciated this helpful and friendly counsel. 108 • A Fiddler's Tale Two weeks later, on 3 December, I played, with Annette's assistance, a benefit concert for the Library Fund ofthe Portland Symphony. To publicize the event, we played for local radio KOIN. Again we garnered praise for a filled-to-capacity Lincoln High School Auditorium performance . The PortlandJournal headline: Kaufman Plays First Concert for Portland Audience Louis Kaufman, violinist, with his wife, Annette, at the piano played the difficult Ernst concerto, a Handel sonata, and a Gusikoff-Machan concerto that Efrem Zimbalist introduced in New York two years ago. The audience liked it and said so with volleys of applause. Mrs. Kaufman proved an excellent pianist. Station manager Chuck Myers and his wife became our friends. Chuck thoughtfully offered to give me letters of introduction to some colleagues in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Chuck's letters proved most effective. Ruth Bradley Keiser joined me at Reed College, playing three evenings of violin and piano...

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