Friends of the Jigsaw Players
Patrons
Kim Kashkashian, violist
Violist Kim Kashkashian has established herself as one of the most accomplished artists of her generation. Inspiring world-wide critical acclaim, she has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "an artist who combines a probing, restless musical intellect with enormous beauty of tone." The New York Times has joined in these accolades, praising her "rich, mellow timbre and impressive artistry."
In recent seasons, Kim Kashkashian has appeared as soloist with the major orchestras of New York, Berlin, London, and Munich. and Tokyo. Her recital appearances take her to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Cleveland and Los Angeles.
Kim Kashkashian's quest for new directions and forms, which she obtains through intense and continuous work with composers, is an active part of her musical life. As a result of these relationships with Gubaidulina, Penderecki, Kancheli, Kurtág, Mansurian, Pärt and Eötvös, and most recently with Eitan Steinberg, Betty Olivero, Ken Ueno and Thomas Larcher, she has extensively enlarged the repertoire for solo viola. Managed by Sonia Simmenauer.
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Vladimir Jurowski was born in Moscow, but in 1990 moved with his family to Germany, where he completed his musical studies at the High Schools of Music in Dresden and in Berlin. In 1995 he made a highly successful debut at the Wexford Festival conducting Rimsky-Korsakov’s May Night, which launched his international career. Since then he has been a guest at some of the world’s leading opera houses such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra Bastille de Paris, Welsh National Opera, Dresden Opera, Komische Oper Berlin and Metropolitan Opera, New York.
In January 2001 Vladimir Jurowski took up the position as Music Director of Glyndebourne Festival Opera and in May 2006 was also appointed Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2005 he was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Russian National Orchestraand was also granted a title of “Special Artist” of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianist
Hailed by the press as “one of the best pianists in the world,” Jean-Yves Thibaudet is sought after by today’s foremost orchestras, festivals, conductors and collaborative musicians. His absolute artistry, virtuosity and charisma have brought him to the world’s most renowned stages numerous times, leaving audiences around the globe repeatedly captivated. Following appearances at major festivals throughout Europe and the US as well as European tours with the New York Philharmonic and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in summer 2008, the fall found Mr. Thibaudet on tour with London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (with an appearance at Carnegie Hall on October 16), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Kammerorchester Basel. Additional performances in the 2008-09 season are with Munich Philharmonic, Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin, London Symphony, Orchestre de Paris, Dresden Philharmonic, Barcelona Symphony, and Orchestre National de Lyon in Europe. Appearances in the US are with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and with the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Colorado and Charleston. Jean-Yves Thibaudet is an exclusive recording artist for Decca, which has released over 40 of his albums, earning the Schallplattenpreis, the Diapason d’Or, Choc de la Musique, a Gramophone Award, two Echo awards, and the Edison Prize. His latest Grammy nominated recording, Saint-Saëns, Piano Concerti Nos. 2&5, with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, released in early fall 2007Managed by IMG Artists
Rivka Golani, violist 
Rivka Golani is recognized as one of the great violists and musicians of modern times. BBC magazine included her in its list of the 200 most important instrumentalists and the five most important violists currently concertizing. Her contributions to the advancement of viola technique have already given her a place in the history of the instrument and have been a source of inspiration not only to other players but also to many composers who have been motivated by her mastery to write specially for the viola. More than 215 pieces have been written for her, of which more than 50 are concertos, a record matched by no other violist in history.
Ms. Golani's awesome technique, riveting stage presence, and superbly sensitive musicianship have made her a favourite with music-lovers and critics alike. Allied to her technical ability, Rivka Golani's approach to the instrument is at once passionate and sensitive; and her performances, both on record and in the concert hall, reveal the originality of interpretation and musicianship of a great artist.
Familiar to audiences throughout the world, Rivka Golani has performed as soloist with the BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw, Israel Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra, Montreal Symphony and many others. Her on-stage charisma unfailingly adds excitement to her appearances, and her reputation as a teacher draws students from all over the world to her master classes.
Laura Goldberg, violinist
Violinist Laura Goldberg is not only a seasoned performer of chamber music, a dynamic soloist and teacher, she is also the founder of ArtsAhimsa, an international network of artists and friends creating concert events dedicated to promoting non-violence.
Violinist Laura Goldberg is not only a seasoned performer of chamber music, a dynamic soloist and teacher, she is also the founder of ArtsAhimsa, an international network of artists and friends creating concert events dedicated to promoting non-violence.
Laura's career includes numerous solo performances in recital, many chamber music concerts, and concerts with orchestras, including the Boston Symphony. A sought after music coach, Laura is passionate about instilling a love of music in both professional and student musicians. She is on the chamber music faculty at The Juilliard School pre-college and directs the music program at Belvoir Terrace, a fine arts center for young women in Lenox, Massachusetts. She has given master classes at Princeton, Yale, Oberlin, Wellesley, Bennington, Walnut Hill, and has taught at the Raphael Trio Chamber Music Workshop in New Hampshire.
As a founding member of the Cassatt and Rossetti Quartets, Laura has had the opportunity to play chamber music for audiences in many parts of the world. With the quartets she premiered more than fifty 20th century compositions, and worked closely with composers including Henri Dutilleux, George Crumb, and Steven Mackey. She has performed live on radio and television internationally. Among other venues, Laura has performed at the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, Tanglewood, Saratoga, Caramoor, Moab, Theatre de la Champs Elysees, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Donors
Mr. & Mrs. Lewisohn
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Wass
Friends
"Andante Friend" £20: Have your name under our "Friends" section and your favourite seat reserved
"Allegro Friend" £35: Have your name under our "Friends" section and your favourite seat reserved and 1 free ticket to the concert of your choice
"Presto Friend" £50: Have your name under our "Friends" section and your favourite seat reserved and 1 free ticket to the concert of your choice and the option of attending our general meeting.
Mrs. Bokenham
Anonymous
Anonymous
Mr. Ball
Mrs. Ball
Mr. Byrne
Mrs. B.M. Jackson
Mr. & Mrs. Affonso
Oscar and Margaret Lewisohn
Mrs. Stone
Mrs. C A Goodall
Dr. J. Wilson
Richard and Virginia Jennings
Anonymous
Ms. Catmur
Mr & Mrs. Waugh