Marianne Wallenberg

Marianne Wallenberg, co-founder with her husband, Fritz, of the Binghamton Philharmonic and beloved violin teacher of dozens of students, many of whom went on to become professional musicians across the country, died Friday October 21, 2011, aged 98.  Marianne was born on February 7, 1913 in Munich, Germany.  She studied violin in Munich from the age of nine, entering the famed Munich Conservatory of Music (Staatliche Akademie der Tonkunst) at 16, where she studied for four years, graduating as a top student.  She continued her studies in Paris for a year in 1933, and then moved to Milan, Italy.  When World War II intervened, she was forced to leave Italy and went to London where her sisters had emigrated to some years earlier, all of them just ahead of the Nazis.  Their mother narrowly escaped and joined them there in 1938.  Marianne had applied for a visa to move to the United States, which came through a year and a half later, and in October of 1940 she went to New York.  She struggled to survive, briefly holding jobs as a waitress, messenger, and violin teacher. The following summer she worked as a camp music counselor in Massachusetts, and in 1942 toured the country with the USO, followed by a tour with the Russian Ballet.  She auditioned for and was accepted into the New York City Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski, followed by an offer to play in the famed Adolph Busch chamber orchestra, playing with the “Little Symphony” in New York and touring around the nation.  She continued studying violin between tours and jobs, working with the Russian violinist Rafael Bronstein.  In 1944 she met Fritz playing string quartets at the home of a mutual friend, and they married in the spring of 1947.  Fritz was a mechanical engineer as well as a musician, and at the time had a job with the photographic chemical firm of Agfa Ansco.  When the New York office of the firm closed, he was offered the chance to transfer to Binghamton, which became their home for the rest of their lives.  Together they co-founded the orchestra that has become today’s highly respected Binghamton Philharmonic.  Though Fritz conducted, Marianne was the driving force behind the eventual success of the orchestra and was its assistant concertmaster for her entire career.  She was also first violinist in the newly formed Wallenberg String Quartet, and taught violin until her early 80’s when ARMD forced her retirement.  By far, her proudest achievement of her later years was the publishing of her memoirs, which she wrote by hand though partially blind.  Rewinding the Tape is a fascinating account of her life, and she was thrilled to hear people say “I couldn’t put it down.”  Marianne became a grandmother for the first time in 2008, and adored the twins.  She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Rabinowitz, son-in-law David Rabinowitz, both of New York City, son James and daughter-in-law Jacqueline Flinker, both of Toronto, and her twin grandchildren, Joshua and Karina.  The funeral service will take place at Temple Concord, 9 Riverside Drive, on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 11:30 a.m.  Visitation one hour prior.  In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory to the Binghamton Philharmonic, 168 Water St., Binghamton, NY 13901 would be appreciated.

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