A) Musical Career
[B) Fighting Cancer]
James Grech was born in Malta in 1977, and started violin lessons at a very early age, furthering his studies in Torino at the Conservatorium “Giuseppe Verdi” after being granted a scholarship by the Italian Cultural Institute, and also in Romania with highly acclaimed violinist Gabriel Croitoru.
During his life James gave many well received performances in various countries. He made his debut at the Manoel theatre, Malta’s national theatre, with the theatre orchestra, at the age of 16, replacing the soloist at 2 days’ notice. The Manoel Theatre was the home place of many of James’ performances. In 2002, The Magic Violin performance, comprising over twelve of the most virtuoso violin works, marked the launching of the Stradivari Season, a 5 star concert series aimed at bringing classical music to new heights by inviting top world known artists performing in unique settings, creating a magical atmosphere.
James was the winner of several competitions and awards, including the First Prize of the Bice Mizzi Vassallo Competition and the Korean Award & Individual Prize for his excellent performances in Korea. He also recorded for Italian, Maltese and Korean radio and T.V. stations.
James traveled extensively all over the world and played on Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu violins. He was lauded by world renowned violinists for his outstanding talent and not only achieved great acclaim as a performer and teacher, but also as a professional concert organizer.
B) Fighting Cancer
[A) Musical Career]
James was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, an aggressive cancer at the age of 28, just a few weeks after the 50th Concert of the Stradivari Season. He traveled to Brisbane Australia for treatment. During his treatment James continued working and organizing concerts. From the hospital bed, and between hospital stays he organized the Celebrity Concert Series, a series of 3 concerts that brought together highly talented musicians from Europe and Australia. The effort made by James to organize, market and perform these concerts, in aid of cancer research and treatment, was also an effort to show all those who are suffering that in moments of great weakness we can find strength. The concerts were an inspiration to many and offered solace and hope to other cancer patients.
The Stradivari Season is an Australian enterprise, based in Brisbane where James held his last concerts. James' efforts in the last few months of his life inspired friends and people who worked with him to set up The James Grech String Competition. We hope that James' work and love of music would indeed inspire young musicians, and the competition will serve as further incentive and motivation. James always aimed for the stars and taught us that if we really want, the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.
Two of these concerts were recorded on DVD, and have since made an impact on many people who saw in them not only a stunning musical performance, but also a lesson of hope courage and determination.
These concerts were James’ last public performances, being held just two months before he died. However in the last 2 months he also did a series of CD recordings which he left as his legacy, and are a living memory of this great virtuoso