Paul Lustig Dunkel
Encyclopedia
Paul Lustig Dunkel is an American
flutist and conductor. From 1983 to 2008, he served as music director of the Westchester Philharmonic
.
Dunkel was born and raised in New York City
. His mother, Johanna Lustig, was a pianist
from Vienna, Austria and his father Eugene Dunkel was a scenic designer born in Russia
.
Dunkel attended The High School of Music & Art
in New York City. He studied flute with Robert DiDomenica and William Kincaid. In 1966, Dunkel took the silver medal at the Birmingham
(England
) International Woodwind Festival; James Galway
took the gold.
As music director of the Westchester Philharmonic, Dunkel developed a reputation for presenting new works and promoting new artists. In honor of his 15th year with the orchestra, a composition by Melinda Wagner
was commissioned. Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion
was subsequently awarded a Pulitzer Prize
in 1999.
In 2006, Dunkel announced he would retire from the Philharmonic after his 25th anniversary season. In November, 2007, the orchestra announced acclaimed violin
ist Itzhak Perlman
would succeed Dunkel as artistic director and principal conductor.
Dunkel is currently the principal flute for the New York City Ballet.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
flutist and conductor. From 1983 to 2008, he served as music director of the Westchester Philharmonic
Westchester Philharmonic
The Westchester Philharmonic is a professional symphony orchestra based in Westchester County, NY. The orchestra performs in the concert hall of the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College....
.
Dunkel was born and raised in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His mother, Johanna Lustig, was a pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
from Vienna, Austria and his father Eugene Dunkel was a scenic designer born in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Dunkel attended The High School of Music & Art
The High School of Music & Art
The High School of Music & Art, informally known as "Music & Art", was a public alternative high school at 443-465 West 135th Street, New York, New York, USA that existed from 1936 through 1984, and then merged into the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing...
in New York City. He studied flute with Robert DiDomenica and William Kincaid. In 1966, Dunkel took the silver medal at the Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
(England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) International Woodwind Festival; James Galway
James Galway
- External links : IMGArtists.com 15 September 2008. AllAboutJazz.com 5 August 2008.*...
took the gold.
As music director of the Westchester Philharmonic, Dunkel developed a reputation for presenting new works and promoting new artists. In honor of his 15th year with the orchestra, a composition by Melinda Wagner
Melinda Wagner
Melinda Wagner is a US composer, and winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize in music. Her undergraduate degree is from Hamilton College....
was commissioned. Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion
Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion
Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion is a 1998 musical composition by Melinda Wagner, who was awarded the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Music for the work...
was subsequently awarded a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
in 1999.
In 2006, Dunkel announced he would retire from the Philharmonic after his 25th anniversary season. In November, 2007, the orchestra announced acclaimed violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and instructor of master classes. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries.-Early life:...
would succeed Dunkel as artistic director and principal conductor.
Dunkel is currently the principal flute for the New York City Ballet.