Todd Levy
Encyclopedia
Todd Levy is an American
classical
clarinet
ist.
He is principal clarinet of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
and, during the summer months,
the Santa Fe Opera
. He is also on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
He made his debut at the age of seventeen performing the Paul Hindemith Clarinet Concerto at Lincoln Center. Mr. Levy won his first Principal Clarinet audition at the age of 18 when he was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Stamford (Connecticut) Symphony. Since then, some highlights of his solo career have included concerto appearances at Carnegie Hall
, Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival , with the Israel Philharmonic in Tel-Aviv, performances of the Johannes Brahms
F minor Sonata arranged for clarinet
and orchestra
by Luciano Berio
with Maestro Berio conducting, the World Premiere of Peter Schickele
's Concerto for Clarinet and Flute with the composer conducting, the European premiere of John Harbison
's Concerto for Clarinet and Oboe, and the World Premiere of Marc Neikrug's Clarinet Concerto in March of 2010 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
. In addition, Mr. Levy was a featured soloist in the Mozart Bicentennial at Lincoln Center where he performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto at the Mostly Mozart Festival. In November of 1998, Mr. Levy performed George Gershwin
's Rhapsody in Blue
at the White House
for President
and Mrs.
Bill Clinton
. A frequent soloist for the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
, Mr. Levy, at the request of choreographer Lar Lubovitch
, performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in the U.S. Premiere of the Company's Concerto 622 at Carnegie Hall
. Since then, he has collaborated with the company numerous times in performances of this work at New York's City Center and also with New York City Ballet Orchestra at the Dancing For Life AIDS
benefit at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater
.
In 1988, Mr. Levy was invited by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas
to become the principal clarinet of the New World Symphony where he stayed until 1993. In January of 1996, Mr. Levy made his debut as guest principal clarinet with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in all eight performances of Janacek's The Makropulos Case with soprano Jessye Norman
. Since that time and until coming to Milwaukee, Mr. Levy appeared regularly with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and as Eb clarinetist on all of the Met Chamber Ensemble concerts at Carnegie Hall with James Levine
conducting and playing the piano. In addition to the Met, he has been guest principal clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
, the Philadelphia Orchestra
, New York Philharmonic
, the Cincinnati Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
, and the Orchestra of St. Lukes.
An active chamber musician, he has collaborated with members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Cleveland, Orion, Mendelssohn, Ying and Miami Quartets, the Beaux Arts Trio
, Pinchas Zuckerman, James Levine
, Carol Wincenc, Paula Robison, Nancy Allen
, Christoph Eschenbach
, Richard Goode
, Mitsuko Uchida
, and Marc Neikrug. He was also clarinetist with the Naumburg Award-winning Aspen Wind from 1992—1997 and a participant at the Marlboro Music Festival for four summers. He has also given World Premiere performances of chamber music pieces by Joan Tower, Paquito DRivera, Morton Subotnick.
Recent highlights are the launch of www.toddlevy.org, Principal Clarinet for 2005, 2006, 2008 seasons of the Tokyo Opera Nomori under Seiji Ozawa
and Riccardo Muti
in Tokyo
, and Principal Clarinet with the 2006 Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra under Alan Gilbert
. In 2010, he recorded and co-edited the new Boosey and Hawkes edition of the Bernstein Clarinet Sonata which is now in book/CD form. Mr. Levy can also be heard on the 2008 release of Marc Neikrug's Through Roses chamber work for the Koch label, together with violinist Pinchas Zuckerman, actor John Rubenstein and the composer conducting. His latest recording of the Brahms Clarinet Sonatas with UWM
faculty member Elena Abend on the Avie
label was just released. In June of 2007, he recorded three book/CD's entitled the "Clarinet Collection" for the G. Schirmer
Instrumental Library Collection. He has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon
, Decca
, BMG
and Telarc. Mr. Levy is a graduate of the Juilliard School
where he studied with David Weber
. He performs exclusively on Selmer
Signature Clarinets and Vandoren
reeds and mouthpieces.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
ist.
He is principal clarinet of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its primary performing venue is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts...
and, during the summer months,
the Santa Fe Opera
Santa Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera is an American opera company, located north of Santa Fe in the U.S. state of New Mexico, headquartered on a former guest ranch of .-General history:...
. He is also on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
He made his debut at the age of seventeen performing the Paul Hindemith Clarinet Concerto at Lincoln Center. Mr. Levy won his first Principal Clarinet audition at the age of 18 when he was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Stamford (Connecticut) Symphony. Since then, some highlights of his solo career have included concerto appearances at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival , with the Israel Philharmonic in Tel-Aviv, performances of the Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
F minor Sonata arranged for clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
and orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
by Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
with Maestro Berio conducting, the World Premiere of Peter Schickele
Peter Schickele
Johann Peter Schickele is an American composer, musical educator, and parodist. He is best known for his comedy music albums featuring his music that he presents as music written by the fictional composer P. D. Q...
's Concerto for Clarinet and Flute with the composer conducting, the European premiere of John Harbison
John Harbison
John Harris Harbison is an American composer, best known for his operas and large choral works.-Life:...
's Concerto for Clarinet and Oboe, and the World Premiere of Marc Neikrug's Clarinet Concerto in March of 2010 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its primary performing venue is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts...
. In addition, Mr. Levy was a featured soloist in the Mozart Bicentennial at Lincoln Center where he performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto at the Mostly Mozart Festival. In November of 1998, Mr. Levy performed George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
's Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924, which combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects....
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
for President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs or Mrs. is a honorific used for women, usually for those who are married and who do not instead use another title, such as Dr, Lady, or Dame. In most Commonwealth countries, a full stop is not used with the title...
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
. A frequent soloist for the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company is a dance company based in New York City and founded by Lar Lubovitch in the late 1960s. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, and worldwide....
, Mr. Levy, at the request of choreographer Lar Lubovitch
Lar Lubovitch
Lar Lubovitch is an American choreographer and founded his own dance company, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company in 1968. Based in New York City, he and the company have toured worldwide....
, performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in the U.S. Premiere of the Company's Concerto 622 at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
. Since then, he has collaborated with the company numerous times in performances of this work at New York's City Center and also with New York City Ballet Orchestra at the Dancing For Life AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
benefit at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater
New York State Theater
The David H. Koch Theater is a theater for ballet and opera, part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts located at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and 63rd Street in New York City, United States. Originally named the New York State Theater, the house has been home to both the New York...
.
In 1988, Mr. Levy was invited by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas is an American conductor, pianist and composer. He is currently music director of the San Francisco Symphony, and artistic director of the New World Symphony Orchestra.-Early years:...
to become the principal clarinet of the New World Symphony where he stayed until 1993. In January of 1996, Mr. Levy made his debut as guest principal clarinet with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in all eight performances of Janacek's The Makropulos Case with soprano Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
. Since that time and until coming to Milwaukee, Mr. Levy appeared regularly with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and as Eb clarinetist on all of the Met Chamber Ensemble concerts at Carnegie Hall with James Levine
James Levine
James Lawrence Levine is an American conductor and pianist. He is currently the music director of the Metropolitan Opera and former music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Levine's first performance conducting the Metropolitan Opera was on June 5, 1971, and as of May 2011 he has...
conducting and playing the piano. In addition to the Met, he has been guest principal clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
, the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
, the Cincinnati Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a Grammy Award-winning classical music chamber orchestra based in New York City. It is known for its collaborative leadership style in which the musicians, not a conductor, interpret the score....
, and the Orchestra of St. Lukes.
An active chamber musician, he has collaborated with members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Cleveland, Orion, Mendelssohn, Ying and Miami Quartets, the Beaux Arts Trio
Beaux Arts Trio
The Beaux Arts Trio was a noted piano trio. They made their debut on July 13, 1955 at the Berkshire Music Festival, known today as the Tanglewood Music Center. Their final American concert was held at Tanglewood on August 21, 2008. It was webcast live and archived on NPR Music...
, Pinchas Zuckerman, James Levine
James Levine
James Lawrence Levine is an American conductor and pianist. He is currently the music director of the Metropolitan Opera and former music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Levine's first performance conducting the Metropolitan Opera was on June 5, 1971, and as of May 2011 he has...
, Carol Wincenc, Paula Robison, Nancy Allen
Nancy Allen
Nancy Allen may refer to:* Nancy Allen * Nancy Allen -See also:* Nancy Allan , Manitoban politician...
, Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach , born February 20, 1940, Breslau, Germany is a German-born pianist and conductor. He currently holds positions in Washington, D.C. as music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and music director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.-Early...
, Richard Goode
Richard Goode
Richard Goode is an American classical pianist, especially known for his interpretations of Ludwig van Beethoven and chamber music.Goode was born in East Bronx, New York...
, Mitsuko Uchida
Mitsuko Uchida
, born 20 December 1948, is a Japanese naturalized British classical pianist.-Career:Born in Atami, a seaside town close to Tokyo, Japan, Uchida moved to Vienna, Austria, with her diplomat parents when she was twelve years old, after her father was named the Japanese ambassador to Austria...
, and Marc Neikrug. He was also clarinetist with the Naumburg Award-winning Aspen Wind from 1992—1997 and a participant at the Marlboro Music Festival for four summers. He has also given World Premiere performances of chamber music pieces by Joan Tower, Paquito DRivera, Morton Subotnick.
Recent highlights are the launch of www.toddlevy.org, Principal Clarinet for 2005, 2006, 2008 seasons of the Tokyo Opera Nomori under Seiji Ozawa
Seiji Ozawa
is a Japanese conductor, particularly noted for his interpretations of large-scale late Romantic works. He is most known for his work as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera.-Early years:...
and Riccardo Muti
Riccardo Muti
Riccardo Muti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI is an Italian conductor and music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.-Childhood and education:...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and Principal Clarinet with the 2006 Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra under Alan Gilbert
Alan Gilbert
Alan David Gilbert AO, was a historian and academic administrator who was until June 2010 the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester....
. In 2010, he recorded and co-edited the new Boosey and Hawkes edition of the Bernstein Clarinet Sonata which is now in book/CD form. Mr. Levy can also be heard on the 2008 release of Marc Neikrug's Through Roses chamber work for the Koch label, together with violinist Pinchas Zuckerman, actor John Rubenstein and the composer conducting. His latest recording of the Brahms Clarinet Sonatas with UWM
UWM
UWM may stand for*Universities:**University of Warmia and Mazury **University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee*In computing:**Ultrix Window Manager**UDE Window Manager*Others**Ticker symbol for ProShares Ultra Russell2000 at NYSE Arca...
faculty member Elena Abend on the Avie
Avie
Avie is a male given name. Its female version is nickname, short for Avanel. People named Avie include:* Avie Bennett, a Canadian businessman* Avie Tevanian, Ex-Chief Software Technology Officer at Apple Computer...
label was just released. In June of 2007, he recorded three book/CD's entitled the "Clarinet Collection" for the G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
Instrumental Library Collection. He has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label which was the foundation of the future corporation to be known as PolyGram. It is now part of Universal Music Group since its acquisition and absorption of PolyGram in 1999, and it is also UMG's oldest active label...
, Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
and Telarc. Mr. Levy is a graduate of the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
where he studied with David Weber
David Weber
David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Weber and his wife Sharon live in Greenville, South Carolina with their three children and "a passel of dogs"....
. He performs exclusively on Selmer
Selmer
Selmer can refer to:People*Elisabeth Schweigaard Selmer, Norwegian judge and politician*Ernst S. Selmer, Norwegian mathematician*Ernst W. Selmer, Norwegian phoneticist*Christian August Selmer, Norwegian lawyer and statesmanOther...
Signature Clarinets and Vandoren
Vandoren
Vandoren is a well known manufacturer of mouthpieces and reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Vandoren's products are used by professionals and amateurs around the world.-History:...
reeds and mouthpieces.