Paul Neubauer, viola

Paul Neubauer's exceptional musicality and effortless playing distinguish him as one of this generation's quintessential artists. Appointed principal violist of the New York Philharmonic at age 21, he is the artistic director of the Chamber Music Extravaganza in Curaçao. A two-time Grammy nominee, he recorded works by Schumann with Anne-Marie McDermott as well as numerous pieces that were composed for him: Joan Tower's Purple Rhapsody for viola and orchestra, and Wild Purple for solo viola; Viola Rhapsody, a concerto by Henri Lazarof; and Soul Garden for viola and chamber ensemble by Derek Bermel. His recording of the Walton Viola Concerto was recently re-released on Decca. He has appeared as soloist with over 100 orchestras including the New York, Los Angeles, and Helsinki philharmonics; National, St. Louis, Detroit, Dallas, San Francisco, and Bournemouth symphonies; and Santa Cecilia, English Chamber and Beethovenhalle orchestras. Mr. Neubauer gave the world premiere of the revised Bartók Viola Concerto as well as Concertos by Penderecki, Picker, Jacob, Lazarof, Suter, Müller-Siemens, Ott and Friedman. Mr. Neubauer is on the faculty of The Juilliard School and Mannes College and is an Artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.