Ittai Shapira, classical music composer

Ittai Shapira image

Ittai Shapira

Biography

Israeli violinist-Ittai Shapira has been engaged and re-engaged by orchestra such as the Detroit Symphony under Yoel Levi, the Royal Philharmonic, the Russian Philharmonic with Thomas Sanderling, the Czech National Symphony under Libor Pesek, the English Chamber Orchestra on tour with Yuri Bashmet at the Barbican Centre, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Philharmonia, the Polish Chamber Orchestra, Cape Town Philharmonic, Israeli Virtuosi at Alice Tully Hall hosted by Itzhak Perlman, the Israel Chamber Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Jerusalem, Budapest, Shaghai, Omaha and Harrisburg.  He has recently assumed the role of conductor/soloist with various chamber orchestras, including the ECO, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and the Israel Chamber Orchestra.

Ittai Shapira made a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut in 2003 with the Orchestra of St Luke's performing the world premier of the violin concerto written for him by compatriot Shulamit Ran.  The recording of this concerto is due to become part of a compilation of Ms Ran's works performed by Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Ittai Shapira has performed as recitalist and chamber musician throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and China, at venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Louvre Auditorium and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. He has appeared at the Ravinia, Banff, Aspen, and Schleswig-Holstein Festivals. He also performs regularly as a chamber musician with Concertante. His discography (EMI, Meridian Records, Sanctuary Classics, Quartz and Sony/BMG) represents his interest in both standard and unusual repertoire, ranging from Bruch to Berio. He is the dedicatee of 14 concertos, and his diverse projects range from the standard repertoire to the eclectic and popular. In September 2006 he reached and audience of 55 million playing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon which was televised nationally in the US.  In October, he will be featured in a soundtrack for a film made about Daniel Pearl, "The Journalist and the Jihadi" and in 2006 will launch a special touring project, performing a concert piece written for him by Glen Roven, "The Runaway Bunny". He has recorded this work with the Royal Philharmonic and Brooke Shields for Sony/BMG.  Other special projects include a Ragtime Suite for violin, percussion and orchestra; He will be touring with his own compositions as well, titled "Virtuoso Variations" and "Concerto Latino", "Liberation" for Violin, Orchestra and Chorus and has recently premiered the Avner Dorman Concerto".

Ittai Shapira, who now lives in New York, grew up in Israel, where he studied with the renowned pedagogue Ilona Feher. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School with Dorothy DeLay and Robert Mann.  A recipient of the prestigious Clairmont Award, Shapira has recently founded the Ilona Feher Foundation with esteemed colleague Hagai Shaham, dedicated to the nurturing and promotion of young Israeli violinists.

Ittai Shapira plays a 1745 Guadagnini Violin.


Composer Title Date Action
Ittai Shapira "Concierto Latino!" Mvt 1: "The Attack" 07/17/2011 Play Add to playlist
Ittai Shapira "Concierto Latino!" Mvt 3: "Party!" 07/17/2011 Play Add to playlist
Ittai Shapira "Concierto Latino!" Mvt 2: "Lament" 07/17/2011 Play Add to playlist