Martin Ormandy

Martin Ormandy, cellist who played for 36 years with the New York Philharmonic and then became a fixture in many of New York's freelance orchestras for another three decades. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Ormandy and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1982 / Martin Ormandy at the Y."

During his Philharmonic years and for many years afterward, Mr. Ormandy was an enthusiastic chamber music player. He was a member of the New York Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble and the Corigliano Quartet, and he had his own trio and quartet, which were resident ensembles at Hunter College. He occasionally filled in at the Metropolitan Opera, where he once performed in costume as part of a stage ensemble for a production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni."

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.