MAJESKE, DANIEL HAROLD (17 Sept. 1932-28 Nov. 1993) occupied the chair of concertmaster of the CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA for a record 24 years. A native of Detroit, he was the son of Daniel and Esther Ebert Majeske, both of whom were ardent amateur musicians. After graduating from Dearborn High School, the younger Majeske studied violin at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music. He married Marilyn Jeup in 1950 and joined the armed services to become a member of the U.S. Navy Band. He left the Navy in 1955 to join the first violin section of the Cleveland Orchestra, becoming assistant concertmaster in 1959 and associate concertmaster in 1967. He was appointed the orchestra's 11th concertmaster by GEORGE SZELL 2 years later, following the sudden resignation of Rafael Druian. During his long tenure he worked under Szell and his 2 successors, Lorin Maazel and Christoph von Dohnanyi. He performed on his 1718 Stradivarius as soloist with the orchestra on more than 100 occasions and in many of the ensemble's recordings. Majeske also taught at the CLEVELAND MUSIC SCHOOL SETTLEMENT from 1965-86 and gave frequent master classes at the CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC. He also taught Sunday school and preached at many area churches. He died in his home in EUCLID, survived by his wife, daughter Sharon Chari, and son Stephen, a member of the Cleveland Orchestra's violin section since 1979.
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