SHAHAM, GIL

SHAHAM, GIL (1971– ), Israeli violinist born in the U.S. In 1973 he moved with his parents to Israel, where at the age of seven he studied with Samuel Bernstein at the Rubin Academy. While studying with Haim Taub, he made his orchestral debut with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra (1981).The following year he played with the Israel Philharmonic under Mehta and begun his studies with Dorothy DeLay and Jens Ellerman at Aspen. In 1982, after taking first prize in Israel's Claremont Competition, Shaham became a scholarship student at Juilliard, where he worked with DeLay and Hyo Kang. In 1989 he   began his studies at Columbia University, New York. His subsequent solo career brought him engagements with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Frankfurt RSO, among others. In 1989 he caused a sensation when he replaced perlman playing the Bruch and Sibelius concertos at the Royal Festival Hall, London. In 1990 he made his London recital debut at Wigmore Hall. A further highlight in his career was his debut recital at Carnegie Hall, New York, in 1992. Shaham performs regularly with leading orchestras and conductors throughout Europe, Japan, and the U.S. as well as in recitals and ensemble appearances on the great concert stages and at the most prestigious festivals. He has appeared with the IPO in many concerts in Israel and abroad. He is noted for his mature musicianship, mesmerizing technique, and rich, colorful tone. He also has the intellect and dramatic flair to transcend routine interpretations. His wide repertoire includes recordings of works by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Korngold, Prokofiev Vivaldi, Bartok, and Arvo Pärt. Among his awards are the Avery Fisher Career Grant (1990) and Premio Internazionale of the Accademia Chigiana in Siena (1992). -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Grove Music Online; Baker's Biographical Dictionary (1997) E. Eisler. "Gil Shaham: Unspoiled by success," in: Strings, 14 (Nov.–Dec. 1999), 50–61. (Naama Ramot (2nd ed.)