Hailed by Strad Magazine for his "effortless,
envy-provoking technique, sweet tone, brilliant expression, and grand
style", Michael Ludwig enjoys a multi-faceted career as a soloist,
recording artist, and chamber musician. A highly sought-after soloist, he
has performed on four continents, including appearances with the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Popsand
the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborating with such conductors
as Sir Georg Solti, and John Williams among others.
Highlights of the 2010-11season include performances in Germany, Spain,
Poland, China, Korea, and Israel, as well as numerous appearances
throughout the United States. Composer Daron Hagen has written a new
violin concerto, American Songbook, for Michael Ludwig, which Ludwig will
premiere with the Buffalo Philharmonic in May 2011. According to Hagen,
"Michael is a superb, world-class musician and the perfect person to
premiere this concerto." This season marks the release of Ludwig's
live recording of the Beethoven Violin Concerto and Dvorak Romance with
the Virginia Symphony, as well as a NAXOS recording of the Josef Suk
Fantasy with the Buffalo Philharmonic. In August of 2011, Ludwig will
record Kenneth Fuchs' American Rhapsody with the London Symphony Orchestra
in the famed Abbey Roads Studios.
Ludwig's discography has drawn critical acclaim from both sides of the
Atlantic. Fanfare magazine writes: "His phrasing is so sensitive--it could
serve as an object lesson to every budding violinist." And BBC Music
Magazine praises his "persuasive playing, silky tone, sensitivity to
colour and flair for golden-age' style." His recording of the rarely
performed Dohnanyi Violin Concertos with the Royal Scottish National
Orchestra has received extraordinary reviews worldwide, and has revived
interest in these neglected romantic works. Ludwig's recording of the
Corigliano Red Violin Concerto with JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic
is "hot, sharp, and close to the edge" writes critic Norman Lebrecht.
This Grammy-nominated recording hit the Billboard Top 100 within the
first week of its release. Other recordings include the Beethoven Triple
Concerto with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and the Bruch
Scottish Fantasy with the Virginia Symphony.
As a chamber musician, he has shared the stage with numerous acclaimed
artists, such as Christoph Eschenbach, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Yefim
Bronfman, Sarah Chang, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. His recording of the
world premiere of Marcel Tyberg's Piano Trio in F Major was released by
NAXOS in August 2010. His chamber music performances include appearances
at the Prague Spring Music Festival, New Hampshire Music Festival, and a
benefit appearance for the Terezin Music Foundation at Symphony Hall in
Boston.
Michael Ludwig has been featured numerous times on Performance Today, a
program that reaches approximately 1.2 million listeners on 230 radio
stations nationwide. Ludwig's media credits include live broadcasts at
WRTI (Philadelphia) and WAMC (Albany, NY), as well as an appearance on
the program "From the Top." He has been featured on Bulgarian
National Radio and Balkan Bulgarian Television.
As a producer his honors include a Mid Atlantic Emmy Award nomination for
Outstanding Live Programming. Ludwig has served as the artistic producer
of The Philadelphia Orchestra's national radio broadcasts, syndicated by
the WFMT Fine Arts Network in Chicago.
In addition to his active performance and recording schedule, Ludwig provides
master classes around the world. He has held faculty positions at Rowan
University and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, as well as the
School of Orchestral Studies in Saratoga Springs, NY and the National
Youth Orchestra Festival. He has also held the appointment of Sterne Virtuoso
Artist-in-Residence at Skidmore College. Ludwig has given master classes
and coachings with the New World Symphony. He has served as a member of
the board of directors of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, and is
currently a member of the Artistic Advisory Board for Access to Art, Inc.
Ludwig performs on a rare violin made in the late 1700's by the Cremonese
master Lorenzo Storioni and a Dominique Peccatte bow. His violin has been
lauded in a Fanfare review by Jerry Dubins as "one of
the most gorgeous instruments I've ever heard."
Michael Ludwig studied violin with his father, Irving Ludwig, a violinist
in the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as Raphael Bronstein and Josef
Gingold. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music and the University of
the Arts in Philadelphia, and Indiana University.
For further information, please visit: www.MichaelLudwig.com
