March 17, 20, 27, 2008

Daniel Kossov, violin

Conductor and violinist Daniel Kossov is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Young Daniel's talent was acknowledged by the America-Israel Culture Foundation from early childhood by awarding him scholarships throughout his education at the Conservatory of the JAMD. He became Concertmaster of the Jerusalem Youth Orchestra at age 10, often conducting and leading string sections and frequently performing as soloist with orchestras in Israel and abroad. By age 17 Daniel Kossov entered the Curtis Institute of Music where he won the Concertmaster audition; he studied theory and analysis with Edward Aldwell. After graduating, Mr. Kossov has been granted a full scholarship as a student of the late Yfrah Neaman at the Guildhall School in London, where he was immediately asked to lead the orchestra. He also presented various projects in London and around UK. Daniel Kossov has collaborated in chamber ensembles with some of the world's leading artists including members of the Guarneri, Orion, and Tokyo string quartets, the Beaus Art trio and principal players from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He participated in many projects with leading orchestras under Sir Simon Rattle, Kurt Mazur, James Levine, Andre Previn, Kent Nagano, Antonio Pappano, Colin Davis, Wolfgang Sawallish and Zubin Mehta. By age 24 Daniel Kossov was offered the Concertmaster position with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth, thus becoming the youngest leader in the history of the orchestra and in three years he transformed the orchestra to become one of the leading Australian orchestras. Mr. Kossov studied conducting with Jorma Panula, Vladimir Ponkin, Oleg Caetani and Kurt Mazur, and is especially indebted to the inspired teaching of Otto Werner Mueller. In 2003 a performance of Mahler's 9th symphony led by Daniel Kossov has won the “Performance of the Year” award. Six months later Mr. Kossov conducted an all-Viennese program, and performed as soloist. Since 2004 he has conducted the Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Vaasa, Haifa and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Melbourne New Orchestra.

Mr. Kossov strongly believes in the value of education and sharing his diverse musical experiences with young people. His violin students have won international competitions, and regularly perform as soloists with Australian and international orchestras. Currently Mr. Kossov shares his time between the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra where he serves as Concertmaster since 2005, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra where he serves as Guest Concertmaster. He serves as Guest Conductor of both Symphony Orchestras.

“Daniel Kossov took the orchestra through a reading that did not so much engage the attention as grab it in a vice-like grip. If ever there was an instance of a performance bringing the listener face to face with the composer, it was this.” Neville Cohn in the “West Australian” newspaper.