Birth

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1977 in Washington, PA

 

Paul Jacobs is a renowned American organist and conductor, known for his virtuosic performances and innovative programming. Born on July 22, 1977, in Washington, D.C., Jacobs showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later switched to the organ and quickly established himself as a prodigious talent, winning numerous competitions and awards throughout his youth. Jacobs received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with John Weaver and Lionel Party. He then went on to earn his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with Paul Hindemith and Jean Guillou. Throughout his career, Jacobs has been recognized for his exceptional talent and dedication to the organ. In 2003, he became the first organist to receive a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra) for his recording of Olivier Messiaen's "Livres d'orgue." He has also been awarded the Harvard University Musical Association's Arthur W. Foote Award, the Yale School of Music's Alumni Association Award, and the Juilliard School's William Schuman Award. Jacobs has performed at many of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Salzburg Festival, and the BBC Proms. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Jacobs' most notable performances was his 2008 recital at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, where he performed the complete organ works of J.S. Bach in a single day. The marathon performance, which lasted over nine hours, was hailed as a triumph of endurance and musicianship. In addition to his work as a performer, Jacobs is also a respected educator and conductor. He has served on the faculty of the Juilliard School since 2003 and has also taught at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Yale School of Music. He has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony. Jacobs is known for his innovative programming, which often combines traditional repertoire with contemporary works and improvisation. He has commissioned and premiered many new works for the organ, including pieces by Nico Muhly, Mason Bates, and Christopher Rouse. Despite his many accomplishments, Jacobs remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and teach around the world, inspiring audiences and students with his passion for the organ and classical music.

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