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Unorthodox Violinist and Composer Awarded MacArthur $800,000 Fellowship

By Sara Schabas on October 7, 2024

Johnny Gandelsman
Johnny Gandelsman (Photo courtesy of the artist)

On October 1st, violinist, composer, and producer Johnny Gandelsman was named a MacArthur Fellow. Gandelsman is one of 22 fellows awarded the prestigious grant this year.

What’s the buzz: This week, the MacArthur Foundation announced its Class of 2024 Fellows. Amongst an impressive list including poets, sociologists, filmmakers, biologists, activists, and astronomers, violinist Johnny Gandelsman was this year’s sole musician. Gandelsman is also a composer and producer known for “reimagining classical works and nurturing the creation of new music across styles and genres.” The grant includes an $800,000 USD fellowship.

A little bit more: Johnny Gandelsman was born in Moscow in 1978 to a family of musicians. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music and is a former member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble (2002-2020). Gandelsman notably reenvisions classical music through non-Western and folk lenses. His recordings of Bach’s Cello Suites and Violin Sonatas and Partitas drew inspiration from folk bowings and fiddling techniques. He is now a member of the Brooklyn Rider string quartet, which programs Western canonical classical works alongside new compositions and non-Western voices.

Curious to hear Gandelsman’s unorthodox playing techniques? Check him out playing the Allemande from Bach’s sixth cello suite on a five-string violin.

Sara Schabas
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