Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Israel

Birth

:

February 19, 1971 in Champaign-Urbana, IL

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Gil Shaham is a world-renowned classical music artist who has captivated audiences with his virtuosic violin playing and passionate performances. Born in Urbana, Illinois in 1971, Shaham grew up in a musical family. His mother was a violinist and his father was a physicist who played the piano. Shaham began playing the violin at the age of seven and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Shaham's family moved to Israel when he was nine years old, and he continued his musical studies there. He studied with Ilona Feher, a renowned violin teacher, and later with Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School in New York. Shaham's talent was recognized early on, and he won several competitions as a young musician, including the Claremont Young Musicians Competition and the Israel Broadcasting Authority's Young Artists Competition. Shaham's career took off in the 1990s, when he began performing with major orchestras around the world. He made his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1990 and has since performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Shaham is known for his passionate and expressive playing, and he has been praised for his ability to connect with audiences. One of Shaham's most memorable performances was his 1995 debut at Carnegie Hall in New York. He performed the Brahms Violin Concerto with the New York Philharmonic, and the performance was hailed as a triumph. The New York Times called Shaham's playing "brilliant and soulful," and the audience gave him a standing ovation. Shaham has also been recognized for his recordings, which have won numerous awards. His recording of the Barber Violin Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra won a Grammy Award in 1999, and his recording of the Korngold Violin Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra won a Grammy Award in 2001. Shaham has recorded over 20 albums, including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. In addition to his performances and recordings, Shaham is also committed to music education. He has taught master classes at universities and conservatories around the world, and he has worked with young musicians through programs such as the Perlman Music Program and the Yellow Barn Music School. Shaham is also a member of the faculty at the Bard College Conservatory of Music. Shaham has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2008, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. The prize recognizes outstanding achievement and excellence in music performance. Shaham was also awarded the Medal of Arts by the U.S. Department of State in 2012, in recognition of his contributions to cultural diplomacy. Despite his many accomplishments, Shaham remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform around the world, and he is always looking for new ways to connect with audiences and share his love of music. Shaham's passion for music is infectious, and his performances are a testament to the power of classical music to inspire and move people.

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