bio
Hailed for his dazzling command of the violin and its repertoire, as well as a communicative immediacy that harkens back to the legendary Romantic masters, Russian-American violinist Yevgeny Kutik has become a highly sought-after artist on the concert stage worldwide.
Recent performances include guest soloist appearances with The Riverside Symphony in New York City, of which The New York Times wrote that his violin projected "an old-fashioned rhapsodic style…magnified by (his) rich, sweet tone," the Atlantic, Bozeman, East Texas and Wyoming symphony orchestras, Germany's Norddeutsche Philharmonie Rostock and WDR Rundfunk Orchestra Koln, and Japan's Tokyo Vivaldi Ensemble. With the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, Yevgeny Kutik gave the 2006 world-premiere performance of Ron Ford's Versus, receiving praise from both The New York Times and The Boston Globe. He has also returned to The Boston Pops, under the baton of Keith Lockhart. Mr. Kutik has appeared in recital in Miami, New York City, Chicago, Washington, DC, Montréal, Munich, Prague and Tokyo, while festival audiences have heard him at Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele (Germany) and Verbier (Switzerland). Of special, personal significance, he was a featured performer at the 2012 March of the Living observances, playing at the Krakow Opera House and in front of over 10,000 people at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Early in 2012, Marquis Classics released Yevgeny Kutik's highly acclaimed debut CD - "Sounds of Defiance," featuring the music of Shostakovich, Schnittke, Pärt and Achron. Later in the year, he was the featured soloist with the newly formed All-Star Orchestra, recording Joseph Schwantner's Soliloquy for Violin and Orchestra - The Poet's Hour for a national broadcast on PBS. Comprised of distinguished American orchestral musicians from across the country, and under the baton of Gerard Schwarz, the All-Star Orchestra taped eight programs in August 2012, all of which will be broadcast on National Television and then issued on DVD by Naxos.
Yevgeny Kutik's current season is highlighted by a debut with the Juneau Symphony (conducted by Kyle Wiley Pickett), the Montenegro Symphony (Ronald Zollman), return engagements with the Bozeman and Wyoming symphony orchestras (both under Matthew Savery), and a pair of performances on Washington, DC's distinguished Embassy Series. He also appears as soloist with the Westchester Chamber Symphony, as well as in recitals in Chicago, NYC, and Connecticut.
Yevgeny Kutik made his debut with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops in 2003 as the 1st Prize recipient of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. He was also awarded a 2006 Salon de Virtuosi Grant as well as the 2006 Tanglewood Music Center Jules Reiner Violin Prize.
A native of Minsk, Belarus, Yevgeny Kutik immigrated to the United States at the age of five. Shortly thereafter, he began violin lessons with his mother, Alla Zernitskaya, and continued with the late Zinaida Gilels. His other principal teachers have included Shirley Givens, Roman Totenberg and Donald Weilerstein. Mr. Kutik holds a bachelor's degree (cum laude) from Boston University and a master's degree from the New England Conservatory.
Of special note, Yevgeny Kutik continues his close association with the United Jewish
Federations of North America Speakers Bureau, annually performing throughout the United States to raise awareness and promote the assistance of refugees from around the world, a cause to which he is particularly dedicated.
Yevgeny Kutik's violin was crafted in Italy in 1915 by Stefano Scarampella, one of the finest 20th Century instrument makers. He makes his home in Boston.
www.yevgenykutik.com