Violinist Vadim Gluzman Appointed Artistic Director of Durango's Music in the Mountains

September 10, 2024, 12:25 PM · Violinist Vadim Gluzman has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of Durango's Music in the Mountains, the Festival announced on Monday.

Vadim Gluzman leading the Festival Orchestra.

Vadim Gluzman leading the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra.

Founded in 1987 by conductor Mischa Semanitzky, Music in the Mountains is a festival that takes place every summer in Durango, Colorado, located near "Four Corners" region where the U.S. states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah touch borders. Gluzman replaces Guillermo Figueroa, who served as Music Director since 2007 and stepped down after this summer.

Born in the Ukraine and an Israeli citizen who lives in the U.S., Gluzman is a well-known international concert violinist, recording artist and the co-founder of the North Shore Chamber Music Festival in Chicago. He performs on the 1690 "ex-Auer" Stradivari, on loan through the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

Gluzman has been involved with the Festival since 1997, when he participated in the Music in the Mountains Conservatory under its director (and Gluzman's teacher), Arkady Fomin. For nearly 30 years Gluzman has been a festival favorite as soloist, director and chamber musician.

"I am deeply honored and excited to join Music in the Mountains as its Artistic Director," said Gluzman. "The festival has a rich history of bringing world-class music to the beautiful landscape of Colorado, and I look forward to contributing and building on its legacy. On a personal level, I first performed at Music in the Mountains nearly three decades ago and have relished every opportunity to return."

From the 1990s: Vadim Gluzman (right) with his teacher, Arkady Fomin, who also was the Director of Music in the Mountains Conservatory at the time.

"For me, this appointment as Artistic Director is truly a full-circle moment," Gluzman said. "I am confident that we will engage with Durango’s wonderful community in new and meaningful ways by introducing innovative programs, fostering young talent, and showcasing the world-class artistry one can expect at Music in the Mountains."

Over the decades, Music in the Mountains has grown from a festival with 11 performers and five concerts into a four-week festival with concerts featuring full orchestra, chamber and pops concerts, and a long list of guest performers. The concerts take place at Fort Lewis College as well as a range of venues across the area. The next festival will take place July 10 - August 3, 2025.

"We are delighted to welcome Vadim Gluzman to Music in the Mountains," said Board President, Sheryl Kaufman. "His artistic vision, extraordinary talent, and passion for the highest caliber music make him the perfect choice to lead our festival into the future. We are confident that Vadim’s leadership will inspire both our musicians and audiences, and we look forward to the new heights he will bring to our beloved festival.

As Artistic Director, Gluzman will be responsible for curating the festival’s program, attracting top-tier musicians, and ensuring the future of Music in the Mountains. "His industry-wide esteem and extensive network will help heighten awareness of the organization’s profile both nationally and internationally; and his commitment to education and outreach aligns with the festival’s mission to nurture the next generation of classical musicians, and to broaden the community's access to the arts," said Executive Director Angie Beach in a statement. "Mr. Gluzman’s longstanding involvement with the festival represents an important bridge from Music in the Mountains’ storied past to the organization’s ambitious vision for future seasons."

As his first act as Artistic Director, Gluzman plans to appoint Daniel Raiskin as the 2025 season’s Conductor-in-Residence. Raiskin is the Principal Conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra in Bratislava, Music Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information about Vadim Gluzman and Music in the Mountains, click here.

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Violinist Vadim Gluzman Appointed Artistic Director of Durango's Music in the Mountains

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