Zukerman ChamberPlayers

ZUKERMAN CHAMBER PLAYERS

A prodigious talent recognized worldwide for his artistry, Pinchas Zukerman has been an inspiration to young musicians throughout his adult life.  In a continuing effort to motivate future generations of musicians through education and outreach, the renowned artist has teamed up with four protégés to form the Zukerman Chamber Players.  In the summer of 2003, the ensemble performed at the Ravinia, Verbier, Schleswig-Holstein, Tivoli (Denmark) and Musica Mundi (Belgium) Festivals, as well as the Festival of the Sound and Domaine Forget in Canada, all to great critical acclaim.  Of their performance at the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Tribune remarked “Zukerman’s presence was a jolt in the arm, galvanizing his mostly twenty-something colleagues to match his conviction and musicianship.”

 The Zukerman ChamberPlayers were invited for return engagements in summer 2004 at the Ravinia and Tivoli Festivals. Debuts abroad included London’s BBC Proms and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, as well as performances in Montpellier and Menton, France, and Menorca, Spain.  In North America, the ensemble performed at the Aspen Music Festival and Ontario’s Festival of the Sound.   In addition to return engagements at Ravinia, Aspen and Schleswig-Holstein,  summer 2005 brought debut appearances at the Tanglewood, Harrogate International (UK), Pau Casals (Barcelona), International Istanbul and Reims Festivals.  Spring 2006 tour dates include Princeton, Baltimore, El Paso, Portland, OR, Saratoga, CA,
Sun City, AZ and Orono, ME.  The ensemble’s first recording, Mozart-Zukerman, was nominated for a 2004 Juno Award in the “Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble” category.

Pinchas Zukerman embarks on his seventh season as Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in 2005-2006, and also conducts the Chicago, Pittsburgh and Dallas Symphonies this season.  He gives recitals throughout Europe with pianist Marc Neikrug this fall, and embarks on a highly anticipated North American tour with longtime friend and colleague Itzhak Perlman in spring 2006.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1948, Pinchas Zukerman began studying at age eight with Ilona Feher.  With the guidance of Isaac Stern and Pablo Casals, as well as the support of the America-Israel and Helena Rubenstein Foundations, he came to America in 1962 to study with Ivan Galamian on scholarship at The Juilliard School.  In 1967 he won First Prize in the 25th Leventritt Competition, setting the stage for his solo career.  He has held numerous artistic positions, including Music Director of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.  In October 2002, he became the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence at the National Arts Awards Gala in New York City.  Mr. Zukerman's extensive discography contains over 100 titles and has earned 21 Grammy nominations and two awards: "Best Chamber Music Performance" in 1980 and "Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist without Orchestra" in 1981.

Young Canadian violinist Jessica Linnebach has entranced audiences on three continents with her depth of interpretation and artistry.  Since her debut at the age of seven, Jessica has appeared with leading orchestras across North America including those of Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.  In 2000, Jessica was guest soloist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman on their historic tour of the Middle East and Europe.  She joined the NAC Orchestra at the beginning of the 2003-04 season.

Violist Jethro Marks has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Europe and Canada, and is a frequent collaborator with many artists and ensembles.  He has performed at numerous music festivals, including Mostly Mozart, Ravinia, Santa Fe and the Zukerman Summer Festival. Additional New York appearances include the String Seminar, as well as the Jupiter and Lyric Chamber Music Societies.  He has been heard on the stages of Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, performing with many American and European artists.

Sri Lankan born British violist Ashan Pillai has enjoyed a flourishing international career as a chamber musician, soloist and teacher.  A winner of numerous prizes at international competitions, he has recorded widely and performed with many leading orchestras, including premieres by such significant contemporary composers as Krystof Penderecki, Wolfgang Rihm and Gavin Bryars.  He was assistant principal violist with the English Chamber Orchestra from 1994 to 1999 and is currently principal violist in the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, Professor of Viola in the Conservatoire Superior in Barcelona and violist in the ensemble Mobius (London).

Canadian Juno Award-winning Amanda Forsyth is considered one of North America’s most dynamic cellists.  Her intense richness of tone, remarkable technique and exceptional musicality combine to enthrall audiences and critics alike.  In 1999, Amanda Forsyth became principal cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, where she appears regularly as soloist and in chamber ensembles.  She is recognized as an eminent recitalist, soloist and chamber musician appearing with leading orchestras in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.  As a recording artist she appears on the Fanfare, Marquis, Pro Arte and CBC labels.