Alex Klein, Oboe

Biography

One of the world's leading oboists, Grammy-award winning oboist Alex Klein began his professional career at age 11 in his native Brazil. He won the First Prize in the Geneva International Competition and the New York International Oboe Competition.  He was appointed Principal Oboe with the Chicago Symphony by Daniel Barenboim in 1995, but resigned nine years later due to the onset of Musician's Focal Dystonia. This year, against all odds, he auditioned again for the same position and was re-appointed by Riccardo Muti.

Mr. Klein has performed as soloist with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Belgrade Philharmonic, Czech National Symphony, Porto Symphony, and orchestras in China and Latin America. His recordings include concertos written specifically for him and are released by Teldec, Boston Records, Newport Classics, Musical Heritage Society, and Cedille Records. He has judged international competitions in the USA, England, Switzerland, Russia and regularly teaches master classes in the world's top conservatories and music schools.

Alex Klein founded and is Artistic Director of FEMUSC - Santa Catarina Music Festival in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil, and founded the el-sistema inspired PRIMA, the Program of Social Inclusion though Music and the Arts in the Brazilian northern state of Paraiba, establishing youth and children's orchestras in the public school system beginning with the areas hardest hit by social risk.

This season also marks the 30th anniversary of Alex Klein's first recital for the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series!