Birth

:

January 2, 1950 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

David Shifrin is a renowned clarinetist and conductor who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on September 30, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, Shifrin grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Shifrin started playing the clarinet at the age of nine and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Shifrin's early musical education was under the guidance of his father, who was his first teacher. He later studied with Leon Russianoff, a renowned clarinetist and teacher at the Juilliard School. Shifrin continued his studies at Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. He then went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he received a Master of Music degree in 1973. Shifrin's career as a professional musician began in 1973 when he joined the Cleveland Orchestra as its principal clarinetist. He held this position for seven years before leaving to pursue a solo career. During his time with the Cleveland Orchestra, Shifrin performed under the baton of some of the most prominent conductors of the time, including George Szell, Lorin Maazel, and Pierre Boulez. In 1982, Shifrin won the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, which is awarded annually to outstanding classical musicians. This award helped to establish him as one of the leading clarinetists of his generation. Shifrin has also been the recipient of numerous other awards and honors throughout his career, including the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Fellowship, the Naumburg Clarinet Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Curtis Institute of Music. Shifrin's career as a soloist has taken him to some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. He has also performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a soloist, Shifrin is also an accomplished conductor. He has served as the music director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 1992 and has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the San Francisco Symphony. Shifrin is also a dedicated teacher and has held teaching positions at several prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, Yale University, and the University of Michigan. He has also conducted masterclasses around the world and has mentored many of today's leading clarinetists. Throughout his career, Shifrin has been a champion of contemporary music and has commissioned and premiered many new works for the clarinet. He has also recorded extensively, with over 30 albums to his name. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance in 2000. In conclusion, David Shifrin is a highly respected and accomplished clarinetist and conductor who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His natural talent, dedication, and hard work have earned him numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Shifrin's legacy as a performer, conductor, and teacher will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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