Jennifer Koh

Jennifer Koh
Background information
Born	(1976-10-08) October 8, 1976 Illinois
Genres	Classical
Instruments	Violin
Website	jenniferkoh.com

Jennifer Koh is an American violinist, born to Korean parents in Glen Ellyn, IL.^[1]

Jennifer Koh earned a B.A. in English Literature from Oberlin College, as well as a Performance Diploma from the attached Oberlin Conservatory. She is also a graduate of the Curtis Institute and was the top medalist in the 1994 Tchaikovsky Competition. That year she also won a scholarship from the Concert Artists Guild. She received an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1995.^[2]

Ms. Koh has performed extensively with such orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic,^[3] New York Philharmonic,^[4] Czech Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony, and Cleveland Orchestra and is an advocate of music education for children.

She is lauded for her programs of Bach.^[5] She performed and recorded a series "Bach and Beyond" which has received high critical praise.^[6] She frequently premieres and records contemporary music of composers like Kaija Saariaho, John Zorn, and Esa-Pekka Salonen.^[7]

In 2012, Koh was a featured performer in the revival of the Philip Glass/Robert Wilson opera Einstein on the Beach, portraying the role of Einstein.^[8]

Projects

Mixtape

A violin concerto commissioning project that asks composers to engage with American contemporary musical culture integral to their musical lives in the creation of their work. Composers engaged to be part of the project include Vijay Iyer, Andrew Norman, and Chris Cerrone.

Shared Madness

Two recitals of short solo works that explore the relationship between violinist and instrument composed by more than 30 of today’s leading composers. Each Shared Madness composer has donated their time and music to the project, exemplifying our charitable community of artists and supporters. Shared Madness celebrates that support and also seeks to encapsulate the intensity of the creative process shared between composer and performer.

Composers include: Samuel Adams, Timo Andres, Matt Aucoin, Jean-Baptiste Barriere, Derek Bermel, Lisa Bielawa, Daniel Bjarnason, David Bruce, Chris Cerrone, Anthony Cheung, Bryce Dessner, Zosha di Castri, Philip Glass, Michael Gordon, Mark Grey, John Harbison, Vijay Iyer, Gabriel Kahane, Phil Kline, David Lang, David Ludwig, James Matheson, Missy Mazzoli, Eric Nathan, Marc Neikrug, Andrew Norman, Christopher Rountree, Frederic Rzewski, Kaija Saariaho, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Sean Shepherd, Noam Sivan, Augusta Read Thomas, Julia Wolfe^[9]

Bridge to Beethoven

Jennifer Koh and Shai Wosner

Bridge to Beethoven is a four-part recital series with pianist Shai Wosner; Beethoven’s complete violin sonatas paired with commissions inspired by specific sonatas from Anthony Cheung, Vijay Iyer and Andrew Norman, and a contemporary sonata by Jörg Widmann. The project seeks to explore the music, myth and impact of Beethoven on a diverse group of composers and musicians.^[10]

Bach & Beyond

A three-part recital series pairing Bach’s complete sonatas and partitas with contemporary and newly commissioned works by video artist Tal Rosner and composers John Harbison, Phil Kline, Kaija Saariaho, and John Zorn. Each program has been created to strengthen the connection between the works of Bach to the present day through a historical journey of solo violin works.^[11]

Off Stage, On Record

An online video series that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a concert artist in short, documentary-style episodes, available on YouTube. Three episodes cover creativity, collaboration, and taking care of one’s body.

Two x Four

Two x Four is a project which celebrates the relationship between teacher and student through music. Four works written for two violins examine the evolution of performance practice and composition. Bach’s Double Concerto and Philip Glass’ Echorus is performed alongside new works by Anna Clyne and David Ludwig. Performed with Jaime Laredo and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Dec. 2012), Curtis 20/21 Ensemble at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Miller Theatre, and Kennedy Center (Mar. 2013), Delaware Symphony (May 2012) IRIS Orchestra (Nov. 2012), Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (Mar. 2014), Vermont Symphony (Mar. 2013) and Alabama Symphony Orchestra (Apr. 2014).

Einstein on the Beach

Jennifer Koh was the first female and Asian to perform solo violin role of Einstein in Einstein on the Beach with director Robert Wilson, composer Philip Glass, and choreographer Lucinda Childs. Performances at University of Michigan, Luminato Festival, BAM, Cal Performances, LA Opera, and Berliner Festspiele.

Discography

Awards

• Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year (2016)
• The New York Times Best Classical Music Recordings of 2012, Bach & Beyond Part I (2012)
• Asian Cultural Council Grant (2012)
• Grammy nomination for Best Chamber Music Performance, String Poetic (2009) ^[26]
• Avery Fischer Career Grant (1995)
• Top medalist, International Tchaikovsky Competition (1994)
• Concert Artists Guild (1994)
• US Presidential Scholar in the Arts (1993)

Further reading

• Kozinn, Allan (October 25, 2011). "Scaling Bach's Mountains With Stamina and Skill". The New York Times. 

References

External links

• Jennifer Koh official website
• Interview with Jennifer Koh by Bruce Duffie, June 30, 2004
• Art of the States: Jennifer Koh performance of Mood (1918) by Carl Ruggles