Edvard Soermus

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Edvard Soermus was a famous early 20th century Russian violinist.

Born in Luunia near Dorpat (Tartu, Estonia), 1878. Estonian origin. He studied philosophy in the Dorpat University and St Petersburg, and the violin at the Conservatoire of the same city. In 1906 he toured the continent giving violin recitals. After this he continued his studies in Berlin and Paris. Soermus spent the 1st World War in Paris and London, after which he returned to Russia for a couple of years and then toured the continent again. Soermus gave a number of charity concerts, the proceeds of which went to help the poor, and children's concerts, at one of which, in 1923, he was even arrested. There is a street named after him in the city of Zwickau, Schumann's birthplace - connection unknown. Died in Moscow 19/8/1940.

Including one in about 1934 in Edinburgh, Scotland, where his wife, Virginia, played the pianoforte. He was well known in the Labour Movement across the continent. He died (date uncertain) in a nursing home in Russia whilst his wife, Virginia, was visiting family in England.

He was sometimes known as the Red Violinist - der rote Geiger - and there is a biography of Soermus, in German, by Harri Körvits, translated from the Russian by Christof Rüger, published Leipzig, VEB Deutscher Verlag für Musik, 1978