In memory of

Victor Danchenko

November 13, 1937 -  November 18, 2020

Victor Danchenko
Born in Moscow, the internationally renowned artist and pedagogue, Victor Danchenko made his solo debut with the U.S.S.R’s State Symphony Orchestra at the age of 16 and later graduated from the Moscow Conservatory where he studied under David Oistrakh.
Prior to immigrating to Canada, he embarked on a distinguished solo career; appearing with numerous orchestras in concerts throughout the Soviet Union and abroad, recieved a gold medal in the Soviet National Competition and the Ysaye Gold Medal, made recordings under the Melodiya label as well as live radio and television broadcasts.

Shortly after arriving in Toronto with his wife and daughter in 1977, Victor became part of the string faculty at the Royal Conservatory of Music where he taught for several years prior to moving to the U.S. in 1991. The next decades saw him as a professor of violin on the faculty at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Peabody Conservatory (John Hopkins University) in Baltimore, and numerous music festivals throughout the world. Recognized and held as one of the leading violin teachers of his day up until this past fall, he enjoyed a highly successful career and was in great demand playing solo concerts and conducting master classes to high acclaim in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, Asia and Israel. He was a transformative teacher who focused on artistry, impeccable technique and sound that led his students to win top awards in major competitions and to go on to successful performing and teaching careers of their own. Coming around full circle, moving to Toronto in 2016, Victor was very happy to be back ‘home’ and rejoin the faculty at the Glen Gould Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music. He was loved and honored both professionally and personally. His charm, warmth, elegance and incredible charisma, permeated all he did and all whom he met.

Tremendously loving and passionate he was a beautiful man who was deeply loved by his family, students and colleagues. He is survived by his wife Nina, daughter Natasha, and grandson Niklas, the closeness to whom he saw as one of the best accomplishments of his life.

Each Memorial Service is available via live stream starting at 12:30 pm On Saturday, November 28

Guestbook 

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Natasha Vekris (Friend)

Entered November 25, 2020 from Toronto

I met Victor & Vera years ago when they first arrived in Toronto and later when they were teaching at the Royal Conservatory. I attended many of their concerts and had lunch with them on many occasions. I also remember attending Vladimir Ashkebazy's concerts at Roy Thompson Hall and visiting him backstage with them. Victor was a generous and kind soul totally devoted to his art. I saw him the last time he was in Toronto performing at the RC on his 80th birthday. To his family and loved ones my sincere condolences. A big loss to the music world.

Martin Sher (Student)

Entered November 26, 2020 from Raleigh

As I posted on social when I learned of Mr. Danchenko's passing:
I'm still processing the loss of my beloved mentor and violin teacher Victor Danchenko who passed this morning. Nobody held higher standards for the art than him, and he held his students to it through a lot of tough love and sweat. He connected us to a great lineage of violin playing that was the source of tremendous pride to him - and the source of many wonderful stories told in our lessons. To feel like we were part of a history and tradition, thanks to him, is a gift that can’t be overstated.
Beyond that, I’m so glad to call many of his students good friends and colleagues. In a recent call he told me that it meant so much to him that many of us were staying in touch with each other. It means a lot to all of us too. Perhaps this was his greatest gift - the sense of community he created for us, with history and with each other.
Thank you for everything, Mr. Danchenko. To us, you put a dent in the universe. We are privileged to have shared some time with you. We love you and cherish your memory.

Emil Chudnovsky (Friend)

Entered November 28, 2020 from Washington, DC

Victor Markevich was, for me, a mentor, a friend, and honored me by calling me a colleague. He was, for the musical world, a legend, one representing and promoting ideals of excellence towards which we all strive even when - especially when! - those ideals seem unreachable. Because it is in the striving that great things are accomplished.

My most heartfelt condolences to his family, and my commiseration to the world's community of musicians.

Claude (Friend)

Entered November 28, 2020 from Philadelphia

Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us in our hearts and memories.

Mary Desaulniers (Mother of Mr. Danchenko's student--Jean-Paul Desaulniers)

Entered December 17, 2020 from London Ontario

So sorry to hear of Mr. Danchenko's passing. He was a Master Teacher and his work with Jean-Paul has been tremendous Thank you very, very much for the years of teaching and service.
Sincerely, Mary Desaulniers, Jean-Paul Desaulniers.

Photos 

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