About

Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as the top classical performer of 1995, violinist Phillip Levy has received worldwide critical acclaim at festivals in Spoleto, Bayreuth, Edinburgh, Israel, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Ojai, Seattle and Aspen.

"Powerful playing… clean articulation, appealing tasteful and confident sense of style… taking no aspect of music at face value." (London Telegraph, Wigmore Hall Debut Recital)

Mr. Levy has received many prestigious awards and prizes including the International Chamber Music Competition, Florence, Italy; The Royal Overseas League, England; The Myra Hess Trust, Welsh Arts Council, American Israel Cultural Foundation and Rubin Academy Violin Competition, Israel.

He has collaborated with renowned artists including Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Iona Brown, Sir Neville Marriner, Dawn Upshaw, John O'Connor, Ralf Gothoni and Lynn Harrell. He has also premiered and recorded new works by composers William Bolcom, Henri Lazarof, Donald Crocket and John Harbison.

Born in Cardiff, Wales, Mr. Levy trained in Israel and Europe. Returning to England, he joined the English Chamber Orchestra and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, with whom he also appeared as soloist. He led the London based Locrian and Amphion String Quartets and was subsequently invited to perform Bartok's Violin Duos on BBC television with Sir Yehudi Menuhin.

Concertmaster of The Monterey Symphony Orchestra for six seasons, Mr. Levy frequently appeared with them as soloist and conductor. He was also the principal violinist for the Apple Hill Chamber Players, held a senior lectureship in violin and chamber music at Stanford University for eight years and also led the Stanford String Quartet, performing and recording with them extensively.

Currently residing in Los Angeles, Mr. Levy leads the Capitol Ensemble, artists in residence for the Los Angeles County Museum's Sunday's Live radio broadcasts on KUSC and featured on the program's title .  

His numerous solo performances have been broadcast on Israel Television and Radio, NPR and the BBC.

Mr. Levy is also a recording artist for the Hollywood film studios and has been featured on over one thousand movie soundtracks, including Star Wars, ET, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, X-Men, Frozen and Avatar. He has also recorded with legendary artists such as Barbra Streisand, Sting, Phil Collins and Elton John.

A much sought after teacher, Mr. Levy has taught at festivals throughout the world.