David Rubinoff, also known as Dave Rubinoff (September 3, 1897, in Grodno, Russian Empire, now Belarus – October 6, 1986),[1] was a popular violinist who was heard during the 1930s and 1940s on various radio programs playing his $100,000 Stradivarius violin. He also performed in theaters, clubs and schools, and he gave several concerts at the White House during the 1940s. He was sometimes billed as Rubinoff and his Violin.
Rubinoff appeared with his orchestra, dubbed Rubinoff and his Orchestra, becoming a major radio star on The Chase and Sanborn Hour. His radio popularity led to his own show on NBC in 1935-36.
The Albany Herald gave this account of a Rubinoff personal appearance during the violinist's 1948 tour:
THE HARTEM STAGLITEofHartsburg, Illinois reports of a school appearance in Lincoln, Illinois in the October 18, 1949 edition of the school newspaper.
A follow-up article appeared in the October 31, 1949 edition of THE HARTEM STAGLITE
About 25 students and teachers went to Lincoln Monday afternoon to hear David Rubinoff. He is the world's greatest violinist, as everyone that went realized.
He played several classical pieces which everyone enjoyed. The two favorites of the day were "Don't Fence Me In," which really brought the laughs and "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," which brought the "Ah's" from most of the teenagers.
Rubinoff introduced his little "redheaded" son, who is five years old.
Rubinoff's accompanist played a few numbers. The best liked was "Etude in Boogie Woogie", which I'm sure everyone enjoyed.
The concert lasted for about an hour so that everyone could be home early—but were they?[4]
In 1937 a woman brought a breach of promise lawsuit against Rubinoff, alleging that he had invited her to his apartment to see a collection of etchings, seduced her, and later refused to marry her when she claimed to be pregnant. The case was settled, but "Come up and see my etchings" became a popular catchphrase.
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