William Barbini
Encyclopedia
Biography
William Barbini (born 1947) is an American violinViolin
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. He took his diploma from Juilliard School in 1970, studying with Ivan Galamian
Ivan Galamian
Ivan Alexander Galamian was an influential Armenian violin teacher of the twentieth century.He was born in Tabriz, Iran, but his family soon emigrated to Moscow, Russia. Galamian studied violin at the School of the Philharmonic Society there with Konstantin Mostras until his graduation in 1919...
, among others. He thereafter became one of the youngest members selected to the 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"...
violin section. During his tenure with the NY Philharmonic, Barbini also performed as principal violinist with the Gramercy String Quartet. With Barbini as principal, the Gramercy was commissioned by Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
for a number of pre-concert performances at Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall is a concert hall, in New York City and is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. It is the home of the New York Philharmonic, with a capacity of 2,738 seats.-History:...
. While in New York, Mr. Barbini also served as concertmaster for the Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Ballet
The Joffrey Ballet is a dance company in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1956. From 1995 to 2004, the company was known as The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. The company regularly performs classical ballets including Romeo & Juliet and The Nutcracker, while balancing those classics with pioneering modern...
and soloist with the Festival Orchestra at the Norwalk Performing Arts Festival.
Chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
has remained a focus of Mr. Barbini's career. He has performed with the Philharmonia Quartet
Philharmonia Quartet
The Philharmonia Quartet was an English string quartet musical ensemble founded during the early 1940s out of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, though some of its members had collaborated during the 1930s in earlier ensembles. The formal career of the quartet ended in 1952...
, Balihry Piano Trio, San Francisco Contemporary Players, and Music Now. In 1983, Mr. Barbini was appointed Concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
of the Sacramento Symphony, and in 1984 joined the Sacramento State University music department. Mr. Barbini serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, formerly the California Conservatory of Music, founded in 1917, is a music school, with an enrollment of about 400 students. It was launched by Ada Clement and Lillian Hodgehead in the remodeled home of Lillian's parents on Sacramento Street. It was called the...
, as Music Director of the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento, and as Concertmaster of the Ariel Ensemble. Mr. Barbini also serves as Concertmaster for Chico Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Pro Art Symphony, and Classical Philharmonic. He has also performed with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.
In addition to a life-long collaboration with violinist Kineko Okumura, Barbini has performed in recitals worldwide, and in concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
performances with Tonkünstler Orchestra
Tonkünstler Orchestra
The Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich is an Austrian orchestra based in Vienna and St. Pölten, Lower Austria.-Origin of the name:The orchestra's name has its origins in the Tonkünstler-Sozietät, Wien, which was organizing concerts in the era of Haydn and Mozart...
, Niagara Falls Philharmonic, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra is a local orchestra nestled in the heart of Amish country in the All-America city of Lancaster, PA. They perform year-round at the city's historical Fulton Opera House and is consisted of many highly talented musicians from around the area.It is a member of the...
, and New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Barbini is also a regular guest at international music festivals, including the Pacific Music Festival, Festival of New American Music, Festival de San Miguel Allende, and the Other Minds Festival.
Instrument
Mr. Barbini's primary instrument is a Guarnerius del GesùGiuseppe Guarneri
Bartolomeo Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri, del Gesù was an Italian luthier from the Guarneri house of Cremona. He rivals Antonio Stradivari with regard to the respect and reverence accorded his instruments, and he has been called the finest violin maker of the Amati line...
violin built in the early 1700s.
Discography
- Marco Beltrami: Hellboy (film score); Principal Violin, Varèse Sarabande 2004
- Hersh: Pony Concerto, Chamber Music 2000-2005; Albany Records 2007