Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey takes the stage at CCAE for a special San Diego performance, joined by pianist Robert Koenig.
Zuill Bailey is recognized as one of the world’s leading cellists, known for his impressive technique, captivating artistry, and engaging personality. His dynamic career as a soloist, recitalist, teacher, and artistic director has made him one of the most sought-after cellists today.
Mr. Bailey has performed with top symphony orchestras and at prestigious music festivals across the globe. In 2017, he won a Grammy Award for Best Solo Performance for his recording of Michael Daugherty’s Tales of Hemingway with the Nashville Symphony, conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero. His extensive discography includes his most recent release, a world-premiere recording of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Cello Concerto with the Santa Rosa Symphony. In 2021, he released a second recording of Bach’s Cello Suites for PS Audio’s Octave Records, featuring stereo and multichannel sound. Bailey’s musical presence has also been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, Tiny Desk Concert, Performance Today, and BBC’s In Tune. He is the Artistic Director of several music festivals, including El Paso Pro-Musica, the Sitka Summer Music Festival/Series, and the Northwest Bach Festival. Additionally, he serves as Professor of Cello at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Celebrating over 30 years of musical excellence, Canadian pianist Robert Koenig has gained global recognition as a collaborative pianist and chamber musician. Koenig has performed at major venues around the world, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Washington’s Kennedy Center, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. His chamber music collaborations have included renowned musicians such as Augustin Hadelich, Sarah Chang, Hilary Hahn, and Zuill Bailey.
Koenig’s impressive performance history also includes a celebrated partnership with the late violinist Aaron Rosand and a 30-year collaboration with violinist Elmar Oliveira. His extensive discography includes recordings on labels like Artek, Biddulph, and Naxos, including a GRAMMY-nominated album with violist Roberto Diaz. Koenig has also commissioned and premiered new works, such as Lowell Liebermann’s Piano Trio for flute, cello, and piano.
Throughout his career, Koenig has been a frequent performer at prestigious summer festivals such as Ravinia, Aspen, and Saratoga. His recent concerts include performances at the Cornell University, the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, and the 92nd Street Y in New York. The 2024-25 season will bring him to venues like the Lotos Club in New York City, the Aloha International Festival in Honolulu, and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
A native of Saskatchewan, Canada, Koenig is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied under Dr. Vladimir Sokoloff. He has served on faculty at the Juilliard School and the University of Kansas, and currently teaches at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he is also the Head of Collaborative Piano. Koenig is the Artistic Director of the Palm Springs International Piano Competition and an official Yamaha Artist.
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