Cyril Reuben was an English violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra for many years. He was born on October 8, 1926 (some sources say October 6). I do not know anything else about him, other than that he played on a Vuillaume. In fact, I do not even know whether he played first or second violin. (Please see comment below.) As is the case with most orchestral players, he was invisible to history - nearly anonymous, though his sound can be heard in more than a hundred LSO recordings. He died on September 2, 1996, at age 69. Thursday, October 8, 2009
Cyril Reuben
Cyril Reuben was an English violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra for many years. He was born on October 8, 1926 (some sources say October 6). I do not know anything else about him, other than that he played on a Vuillaume. In fact, I do not even know whether he played first or second violin. (Please see comment below.) As is the case with most orchestral players, he was invisible to history - nearly anonymous, though his sound can be heard in more than a hundred LSO recordings. He died on September 2, 1996, at age 69. 
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He played in the first violin section of the LSO for many years. He was a very intelligent, interesting and nice man.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It is always a pleasant surprise to meet someone who knows.
DeleteHe was presumably the brother of the novelist Bernice Rubens and of the pianist Harold Rubens (see sources cited in their Wikipedia articles)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment - I will read the articles.
DeleteIndeed, his brother was pianist Harold Rubens and his other sister was violist Beryl Rubens. Bernice learned to play cello too but devoted her time to writing (prolifically)
DeleteI knew his sister Beryl, although I worked with both of them. Beryl played in the Welsh National Opera orchestra which is where I met her. A lovely lady. She was very kind and helpful when my daughter got sick when I brought both kids with me to Llandudno on tour with the WNO.
DeleteThank you for your comment - it brings realism to this blog post. These are wonderful human beings who graced our world for a short duration and all for the better. Their talent and work has not gone unnoticed. I have wondered why the difference in the spelling of their last name. My guess is that Reuben is the original.
DeleteHarold (Cyril's brother) was my piano teacher at the Royal Academy of Music. I got to know the whole family well - all uniquely gifted
DeleteHe was my mother's cousin and a gentle, humble man with great musical talent.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It is always nice to hear from someone who was there and knew the violinists I sometimes write about. I sometimes wonder whether Mr Reuben had any students. I will guess he did.
DeleteHis Vuillaume has just come up for auction at Brompton's March 2022 sale (lot 259).
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know. I shall look it up.
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