Cathy Basrak
Encyclopedia
Cathy Basrak is one of the most prominent young violist
s today. She was a winner of several important viola
competitions such as the 1995 Primrose International Viola Competition
, Irving M. Klein Competition
, and others. Basrak studied with Michael Tree
, Joseph de Pasquale
, and Roland and Almita Vamos
. Currently, she is an Assistant Principal Violist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
. She gave the premiere of the John Williams
' viola concerto.
Violist
-Notable violists:A* Julia Rebekka Adler * Sir Hugh Allen , conductor* Kris Allen * Johann Andreas Amon * Paul Angerer , composer* Steven Ansell * Atar Arad * Cecil Aronowitz...
s today. She was a winner of several important viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
competitions such as the 1995 Primrose International Viola Competition
Primrose International Viola Competition
The Primrose International Viola Competition , also referred to as the Primrose Memorial Scholarship Competition , is an international music competition for viola players sponsored by the American Viola Society and named for the 20th century virtuoso William Primrose.The 13th Primrose International...
, Irving M. Klein Competition
Klein Competition
The Irving M. Klein International String Competition is recognized as the world’s leading competition for young string musicians and one of the most prestigious international events . It is open to young musicians, ages fifteen to twenty-three and takes place every June in San Francisco, California...
, and others. Basrak studied with Michael Tree
Michael Tree
Michael Tree is an American violist, born in Newark, New Jersey.-Biography:Michael Tree's principal studies were with Efrem Zimbalist on violin and viola at the Curtis Institute of Music...
, Joseph de Pasquale
Joseph de Pasquale
Joseph de Pasquale is an American violist.Joseph de Pasquale was a student of Louis Bailly, Max Aronoff and William Primrose at the Curtis Institute of Music. He was the principal violist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1947 to 1964, and later the Philadelphia Orchestra...
, and Roland and Almita Vamos
Roland and Almita Vamos
Roland and Almita Vamos are a husband and wife who are among the leading violin and viola instructors in the world. Their pupils have become prominent soloists, members of world renowned chamber groups and orchestras, and laureates of prestigious international competitions...
. Currently, she is an Assistant Principal Violist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
. She gave the premiere of the John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
' viola concerto.