"People often thought Leopold Auer was Russian because he lived in St. Petersburg so long, almost fifty years"
- Gyorgy Ligeti
About this Quote
Leopold Auer was a Hungarian violinist and author who resided in St. Petersburg for almost fifty years. Throughout this time, he was a teacher at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and was extremely respected in the music world. People often assumed he was Russian due to the fact that of his long residence in St. Petersburg. This quote by Gyorgy Ligeti highlights the reality that Auer was not Russian, but Hungarian, regardless of his long remain in St. Petersburg. Auer's influence on the music world was immense, and he was a mentor to numerous famous musicians, consisting of Jascha Heifetz and Nathan Milstein. He was also a popular author, and his works are still carried out today. Auer's long residence in St. Petersburg was a testimony to his commitment to music and his dedication to teaching and mentoring young artists. His legacy survives on in the music world, and his influence is still felt today.