The violinist Michel Schwalbé, who has died aged 92, was leader of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra from 1957 to 1985, throughout the heyday of the Herbert von Karajan era. An ebullient character with a sumptuous technique combining the qualities of both the Russian and the Franco-Belgian schools, he chose a life away from the plaudits he would have received on the international platform and the timing of the outbreak of the second world war probably changed the course of his career. He appeared happy with a role where he was an integral part of one of the world's finest ensembles, and – continental-style – often appeared as soloist with his orchestra, as well as conducting in the maestro's absence.

Born in Radom, south of the Polish capital of Warsaw, the young boy was soon recognised as an outstanding talent by Maurycy Frenkel, pupil and assistant of the great violin teacher Leopold Auer, and teacher of another fine Polish violinist, Henryk Szeryng. At the age of 15, Schwalbé travelled with his mother to Paris, where he had lessons from Georges Enescu, an extraordinary teacher whom he always revered for his not just for musicianship, but also for his faultless memory.

Schwalbé's musical education also included studies in chamber music and conducting with Pierre Monteux, and with the now little-known violin master Jules Boucherit. In 1938 the final-year student carried away the highest marks of his year at the Paris Conservatoire, and the Sarasate prize.

When war came the following year, he fled France for Switzerland, and found himself leading unknown orchestras as a means of survival. But he put his time to good use, learning the art of violin making with Adolf Stahl. Schwalbé achieved enough mastery to be able to win the Scheveningen competition in the Netherlands in 1948 by playing one of his own fiddles. In the mid-1940s he was appointed leader of the Suisse Romande Orchestra, and also led the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, now coming into contact with the leading conductors of the time, including Wilhelm Furtwängler and Ernest Ansermet.

However, it was during the Lucerne Festival that he first encountered the young, unknown Karajan: "I loved his quickness, his cleverness, the speed of his reactions. His rehearsals, too, were far more interesting than Furtwängler's. It was quite natural that when he succeeded Furtwängler in Berlin 10 years later I should become his righthand man."

Nonetheless, he did not accept the offer immediately. The Polish-Jewish instrumentalist had lost his mother and sister in the Holocaust, while Karajan, a Nazi party member, had conducted in wartime Berlin. The agreement of the appointment was seen as one of the many steps in Germany's postwar reconciliation.

The ideal work to display the combination of their talents was Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), which they performed often and recorded. Schwalbé's other solo recordings included Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Bach's Double Concerto, with his fellow violinist Christian Ferras.

Once installed in Berlin, Schwalbé established a secure niche in the top violinists' hierarchy, teaching at the Mozarteum's summer school in Salzburg, appearing as a jury member in various international competitions, and receiving many honours for his playing. The businessman Axel Springer made a permanent loan to him of a Stradivarius violin, the King Maximilian.

In 1984 he accepted an invitation to teach at the Yehudi Menuhin school in Surrey, and returned to Britain a year later to give masterclasses in London and at the Britten-Pears school in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. He said that he liked the quiet humour and kindliness of the British and once professed a wish that he had been English by birth.

Two marriages ended in divorce, and he is survived by a daughter.

• Michel Schwalbé, violinist, born 27 October 1919; died 9 October 2012