Leila Josefowicz

Leila Josefowicz’s passionate advocacy of contemporary music for the violin is reflected in her diverse programmes and enthusiasm to perform new works. In 2008 she was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, joining prominent scientists, writers and musicians who have made unique contributions to contemporary life. A favourite of living composers, Josefowicz has premiered many new concertos including those by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Colin Matthews and Steven Mackey, all written especially for her. She collaborates regularly with composer conductors Thomas Ades (on his Concentric Paths) and Matthias Pintscher (Mar’eh). Josefowicz enjoyed a close working relationship with the late Oliver Knussen performing various concerti, including his own violin concerto, together over 30 times.

Highlights of her 2018/19 season include concerts with the New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Houston, St. Louis, Toronto and Baltimore symphony orchestras.

Josefowicz has released several recordings, notably for Deutsche Grammophon, Philips/Universal and Warner Classics and was featured on Touch Press’ acclaimed iPad app, The Orchestra. Her latest recording, featuring Scheherazade.2 with the St Louis Symphony conducted by David Robertson, was released in 2016 and nominated for a Grammy Award. Her recording of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2014.