Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

October 22, 1977 in Canada

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Leila Josefowicz is a Canadian classical violinist who has gained international recognition for her virtuosic performances and innovative programming. Born on October 20, 1977, in Mississauga, Ontario, Josefowicz began playing the violin at the age of three and gave her first public performance at the age of five. She was a prodigious talent, and by the age of eight, she had already won her first competition. Josefowicz's parents were both musicians, and they recognized their daughter's talent early on. They encouraged her to pursue a career in music and provided her with the best possible training. Josefowicz studied with several renowned teachers, including Sally Thomas, Jascha Brodsky, and Dorothy DeLay. She also attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she studied with Jaime Laredo. In 1994, at the age of 16, Josefowicz made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. The performance was a huge success, and it marked the beginning of Josefowicz's career as a soloist. She went on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Josefowicz's repertoire is wide-ranging, and she is known for her adventurous programming. She has performed works by contemporary composers such as John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Thomas Adès, as well as standard repertoire by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. She is particularly known for her performances of 20th-century works, including those by Bartók, Berg, and Stravinsky. One of Josefowicz's most memorable performances was her 2008 performance of John Adams's Violin Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The performance was recorded and released on DVD, and it received critical acclaim. The New York Times called it "a performance of stunning virtuosity and musicality," and the Los Angeles Times praised Josefowicz's "fierce and fearless" playing. Josefowicz has also received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1994, she won the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is awarded to young musicians who show exceptional promise. She has also been awarded the MacArthur Fellowship, which is often referred to as the "genius grant." The fellowship is awarded to individuals who have shown exceptional creativity and originality in their work. In addition to her solo career, Josefowicz is also an active chamber musician. She has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Guarneri Quartet and the Emerson Quartet. She is also a frequent collaborator with pianist John Novacek, with whom she has recorded several albums. Josefowicz is known for her passionate and intense performances, and she has been praised for her ability to connect with audiences. She has said that she sees her role as a performer as that of a storyteller, and she strives to convey the emotional content of the music she plays. In recent years, Josefowicz has become increasingly involved in music education and outreach. She has worked with young musicians through programs such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Colburn School in Los Angeles. She has also been involved in initiatives to bring classical music to new audiences, such as the YouTube Symphony Orchestra.

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