Vladimir Mendelssohn – Viola
Vladimir Mendelssohn, the son of a Romanian family of musicians, studied the viola and composition at the Music Academy in his hometown, Bucharest. He has appeared throughout the world as a soloist, chamber musician, composer and arranger, and is in great demand at countless international festivals, performing with the world’s finest musicians.
Mendelssohn’s engagements have taken him to the United States, almost every country in Europe and to Russia, Israel, Tunisia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and South America.
He has performed in renowned halls such as Carnegie Hall New York,
Théâtre des Champs Elysées and Salle Gaveau in Paris, Berlin Philharmonie, Herculessaal Munich, Wigmore Hall London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Musikverein Vienna, Moscow Conservatory, Tonhalle Zurich, and Philharmonie Bucharest.
He is a regular guest at festivals such as the Casals Festival in Prades, Kyushu Chamber Music Festival and Lockenhaus, and has made numerous recordings for established labels.
A prolific composer, he has produced works for solo instruments, mixed choir, symphony and chamber orchestra. His chamber works include four string quartets, “Nova” for clarinet, string trio, piano and percussion, and “Don Aldebarran” for seven stringed instruments, piano and actor. He has also composed music for ballet, stage and screen.
A sought-after teacher, Mendelssohn is Professor of chamber music at the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique and also teaches in The Hague, Essen and Bologna. Moreover, he gives masterclasses the world over.
Vladimir Mendelssohn has been artistic director of the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival in Finland since 2005.