Genre

:

Chamber

 

Amanda Forsyth is a renowned Canadian cellist who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born on October 30, 1966, in South Africa, Forsyth grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, Malcolm Forsyth, was a composer and her mother, Mary Lawton, was a pianist. Her parents' love for music inspired Forsyth to pursue a career in music. Forsyth began playing the cello at the age of three and gave her first public performance at the age of six. She studied at the University of Alberta and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. Her teachers included William Pleeth, Harvey Shapiro, and Leonard Rose. Forsyth's career took off in the 1990s when she won the position of principal cellist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada. She held this position for over a decade and became one of the most respected cellists in Canada. During her time with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Forsyth performed as a soloist with the orchestra and toured extensively with the ensemble. In addition to her work with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Forsyth has performed with many other orchestras around the world. She has been a guest soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, among others. Forsyth has also performed at many prestigious music festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, the La Jolla SummerFest, the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. One of Forsyth's most memorable performances was her solo debut with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1995. She performed the Elgar Cello Concerto, which is considered one of the most challenging pieces in the cello repertoire. Her performance was met with critical acclaim, and she was praised for her technical skill and emotional depth. Forsyth has also been recognized for her recordings. In 2001, she released a recording of the Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 2 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, which was nominated for a Juno Award, Canada's top music award. She has also recorded the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brahms Double Concerto with her husband, violinist Pinchas Zukerman, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. In addition to her performing career, Forsyth is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught at the University of Ottawa and the University of British Columbia and has given masterclasses around the world. She is known for her passionate and engaging teaching style and has inspired many young cellists to pursue careers in music. Forsyth has received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1998, she was awarded the Virginia Parker Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts, which recognizes outstanding young Canadian musicians. In 2003, she was awarded the Order of Canada, one of Canada's highest honors, for her contributions to Canadian music. In 2016, she was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Canadian culture. Forsyth continues to perform and teach around the world.

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