Joseph Evans

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Joseph Evans (October 15, 1913 - January 24, 2014), was born in Novogrodek, Russia and died in San Diego, California at age 100. He arrived with his mother at Ellis Island on November 2, 1921, at the age of 8. Soon afterwards, they took a train to Cleveland, where young Joseph met his father Louis for the first time. Louis, a cellist with the Cleveland Symphony during the years 1921-1922, had arrived at Ellis Island on December 23, 1913.

Joseph Evans had a long career as a pianist at Michigan State University. He joined the faculty in September 1941 at age 27, with a starting salary of $1600 per year. He retired in June 1984 at age 70. During his last year at MSU, he gave a farewell concert at the Wharton Center's Great Hall (October 3, 1983), joined by his son Ralph.

He received his early musical training in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a teenager, he helped support his family by playing chamber music at the Belvedere Hotel in the resort town of Charlevoix, Michigan. After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School in 1931, he continued to give concerts in order to afford the tuition for Michigan State College. He also saved money by giving piano lessons (charging 50 cents per hour, not small change during the Great Depression).

In September 1933, he matriculated at Michigan State, earning a B.A. in 1935 and a Master of Music in 1939. During his student years at Michigan State, WKAR radio (AM 850) frequently broadcast recitals by the Stulberg Trio, consisting of Joseph Evans on piano, Julius Stulberg on violin, and David Pratt on cello.

After graduating from Michigan State in 1939, Joseph studied at the Juilliard School, where he worked with Carl Friedberg and the Viennese master, Eduard Steuermann. He also studied in New York with Frank Mannheimer.

Professor Evans enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 23, 1942. While in the service, he married Margot Spiegel on June 25, 1944. Margot, a native German who fled the Third Reich, arrived in New York on December 24, 1936, at the age of 22. She taught foreign languages at Michigan State University, and was known throughout Michigan for her paintings and tapestries.

During his sabbatical in 1950-51, Professor Evans received artist diplomas from the Paris Conservatory, the Mozarteum in Salzburg and the conservatory in Fontainebleau. In 1957, he spent a year at the University of Vienna, where he was invited to present several lecture-recitals. Among his teachers in Europe were Nadia Boulanger, Lazare Lévy, Robert Casadesus, Edwin Fischer, and Carlos Zecchi.

A former president and honorary life member of the Michigan Music Teachers Association, Professor Evans worked tirelessly to promote higher teaching standards. In recognition, the state organization cited him in 1968 as "Teacher of the Year" and the National Music Teachers Association presented him in 1969 with the Mason and Hamlin "Excellence in Teaching" award. Many of his students have become outstanding performers and faculty members at leading American universities.

Professor Evans performed as soloist and chamber music player in concerts throughout the US and Europe, and recorded frequently for Public Television. One notable example is a series of five nationally televised performances, first aired in November 1966, of the Beethoven Cello Sonatas with Theo Salzman, who had served as principal cellist of the Vienna, Israel, and Pittsburgh Symphonies. Professor Evans made three vinyl recordings (now on CD) with baritonist Leonard Falcone, in 1959, 1965, and 1970.

After he retired, Professor Evans joined the "Emeriti Quartet" with fellow emeriti Louis Potter, James Niblock, and Helen Niblock. He gave his last formal recital at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on June 8, 2008, although he continued to perform house concerts for five more years up until his final year.

He was predeceased by his wife Margot Evans (April 27, 1914 - November 11, 1985); by his son Roger Evans (January 1, 1947 - January 29, 1961); by his sister Esther (Lester) Wolfson (April 27, 1924 - December 7, 2003); and by his parents Louis Evans (March 28, 1890 - May 1, 1985) and Rachel Evans (June 22, 1896 - May 5, 1972).

He is survived by his brother Richard (Zena, dec.) Evans, an emeritus professor of psychology at the University of Houston; his brother Phillip (Roberta) Evans, a pianist at Lynn University; his son Ronald (Suzanne) Evans, an emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of California, San Diego; his son Ralph (Susan) Evans, first violinist of the Fine Arts Quartet; his grandchildren Daniel (Bekah), Mark (Melisa), Deborah (George), and Cecily Evans; his great-grandchildren Ottavio, Saveria, and Kieran Evans; and many nieces, nephews, students, and friends.

Ron Evans, math.ucsd.edu/~revans Ralph Evans, fineartsquartet.com January 31, 2014