Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

November 17, 1977 in Manchester, England

 

Jonathan Cohen is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant impact in the world of music. He was born in London, England, in 1977, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a cellist, and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to music at a young age. He started playing the cello when he was six years old and later learned to play the piano and the organ. Cohen attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied the cello with David Strange and the piano with Michael Dussek. He also studied conducting with Colin Metters and George Hurst. During his time at the academy, he won several awards, including the prestigious Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Prize for cello playing. After completing his studies, Cohen began his career as a cellist, performing with various orchestras and ensembles. He was a member of the Academy of Ancient Music, a period-instrument ensemble, for over a decade, serving as its principal cellist and later as its music director. He also played with other period-instrument ensembles, such as the English Concert and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Cohen's talent as a conductor was soon recognized, and he began to conduct orchestras and ensembles. He made his conducting debut with the Academy of Ancient Music in 2002 and has since conducted many other orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. One of Cohen's most significant achievements as a conductor was his appointment as the Artistic Director of Les Violons du Roy, a chamber orchestra based in Quebec City, Canada. He held this position from 2018 to 2021 and led the orchestra in many successful performances and recordings. During his tenure, he also established a partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, which resulted in several joint productions. Cohen is known for his expertise in baroque and classical music, and he has conducted many performances of works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Haydn. He is also a champion of lesser-known composers, such as Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach and Johann Baptist Vanhal, and has conducted many of their works. Cohen has received many awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2009, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Young Artist Award, which recognizes outstanding young musicians. He has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for his recordings with the Academy of Ancient Music and Les Violons du Roy. In addition to his work as a conductor and cellist, Cohen is also a composer and arranger. He has written several works for chamber ensembles and has arranged many pieces for period-instrument orchestras. Cohen's performances are known for their energy, precision, and musicality. He is a passionate advocate for classical music and is committed to bringing it to new audiences. He has collaborated with many artists from different genres, such as jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, to create innovative and exciting performances. In conclusion, Jonathan Cohen is a highly accomplished classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. His talent as a cellist, conductor, composer, and arranger has earned him many awards and accolades, and his performances are admired for their musicality and energy.

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