CMSFW Ensemble

Piano

One of the most sought-after soloists and chamber music collaborators of his generation, Orion Weiss is widely regarded as a “brilliant pianist” (The New York Times) with “powerful technique and exceptional insight” (The Washington Post).

With a warmth to his playing that outwardly reflects his engaging personality, he has dazzled audiences around the world.

Orion Weiss’s Website

Photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Violin

Gary Levinson is the senior principal associate concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth. Born in St. Petersburg, he began studying the violin at the age of 5 at the Leningrad Special Music School.

He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1977, and he began winning top prizes at international competitions. Known for his Bel Canto playing style and adroit technique, Mr. Levinson made his New York Philharmonic solo debut in 1991, coinciding with the completion of his master’s degree at The Julliard School.

Much sought-after as a chamber musician, he has collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, and Eugenia Zuckerman. He has recorded several CDs, including a bass and violin duo – performed with his father, renowned double bassist Eugene Levinson – written for and dedicated to the father-and-son team.

Gary Levinson travels and performs year round all over the globe, including to summer music festivals. He also mentors young musicians through the CMSFW2 emerging artist program.

Gary Levinson’s Website

Photo by AJK Images

Viola

Michael Klotz has established an international reputation as a performer and pedagogue of the viola. He has toured around the world and recorded commercially with the Amernet String Quartet.

Passionately dedicated to chamber music, he regularly performs with many of today’s most esteemed artists and many principal players from major U.S. and European orchestras. He made his solo debut with the Rochester Philharmonic at the age of 17 and has appeared worldwide as chamber musician, recitalist, orchestra principal and soloist with orchestra.

After a performance of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 with violist Roberto Diaz, the Portland Press-Herald proclaimed, “This concert squelched all viola jokes, now and forever, due to the talents of Diaz and Klotz.”

In 2015, Mr. Klotz was named a charter member of the Ensemble with the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth and regularly appears on this series.

Michael Klotz’s Biography

Photo by So-Min Kang Photography

Cello

From 1999 until its final season in 2013, Clive Greensmith was a member of the world-renowned Tokyo String Quartet, giving over 100 performances each year in the most prestigious international venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, London’s South Bank, Paris Chatelet, Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna Musikverein and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. He has collaborated with international artists such as Andras Schiff, Pinchas Zukerman, Leon Fleisher, Lynn Harrell, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Alicia de Larrocha, and Emanuel Ax.

Clive Greensmith’s Website

Photo by Tomo Saito

Bass

Eugene Levinson is the former principal double bassist of the New York Philharmonic and is a world- renowned double bass instructor, retired from The Julliard School. He is also the father of Gary Levinson, CMSFW artistic director.

Born in Kiev, Mr. Levinson began studying music at 9 years old. He received his doctoral degree from the Leningrad Conservatory and became its youngest faculty member at age 29. For many years, he was the principal bass of the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra and also performed with the Leningrad Philharmonic. He moved his family to the United States in 1977 where he taught at various universities and conservatories. He joined The Julliard faculty and the New York Philharmonic in 1985.

Photo by Chris Lee