Temianka Talks Music: Lectures from a Virtuoso

Temianka’s Performance Lectures

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen" would become a commonly heard greeting for Temianka's audiences. By the early 1950s, Temianka had begun regularly providing commentary for his performances.

Paganini Quartet programs from as early as 1951 note "comments from the stage by Mr. Temianka," and his later series, titled "Let's Talk Music," involved a substantial amount of lecturing and discourse on musical performances. One program for a 1963 performance noted the acclaim that Temianka had received for his commentary.

"When someone like Temianka comes along to annotate verbally with human interest, accuracy and excellence, program notes give music a lift." — Herbert Donaldson