Glenn Dicterow

Glenn Dicterow is a renowned American violinist, best known for his tenure as the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic from 1980 to 2014, working under esteemed conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Kurt Masur, and Lorin Maazel. During his illustrious career, Dicterow has performed with numerous prominent orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony. He has also collaborated with celebrated musicians like Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, and Yefim Bronfman. As a respected educator, Dicterow has taught at institutions such as the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and University of Southern California.

● Early Life and Education

Glenn Dicterow was born in Los Angeles, California, to a family of musicians, with his father, Harold Dicterow, being a violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Dicterow's early musical training began with his father and later with renowned pedagogues like Jascha Heifetz and Nathan Milstein at the University of Southern California. He further honed his skills at the Tanglewood Music Center, where he studied with Joseph Silverstein and performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. Dicterow's education also included attending the Curtis Institute of Music, where he was mentored by Ivan Galamian and David Oistrakh.

● Career

Dicterow's professional career commenced as a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he played under the direction of Zubin Mehta and Carlo Maria Giulini. In 1980, he was appointed concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, a position he held for 34 years, working with conductors such as Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, and Alan Gilbert. During his tenure, Dicterow performed as a soloist with the orchestra on numerous occasions, including performances of Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto, Johannes Brahms's Violin Concerto, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. He has also appeared as a guest concertmaster with ensembles like the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestre de Paris.

● Repertoire and Performances

Dicterow's repertoire spans a wide range of classical music, from the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven to those of Béla Bartók and Igor Stravinsky. He has performed with many prominent conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, and Riccardo Muti. Dicterow has also been an advocate for contemporary music, premiering works by composers such as John Adams, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. His performances have taken him to esteemed venues like Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Vienna State Opera. As a chamber musician, Dicterow has collaborated with artists like Emerson String Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet, and Juilliard String Quartet.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Dicterow has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He has been recognized with the Avery Fisher Prize, the Ford Foundation Award, and the National Endowment for the Arts fellowship. Dicterow has also been awarded honorary doctorates from institutions like the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Southern California. His performances have been praised by critics, with reviews in publications like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian.

● Personal Life

Glenn Dicterow is married to Karen Dicterow, a violinist and educator, and they have two children together. He is also the brother of André Dicterow, a cellist, and Karen Dicterow, a violinist. Dicterow has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the New York Philharmonic's education programs and the Los Angeles Philharmonic's community outreach initiatives. As a dedicated educator, he has taught at institutions like the Juilliard School and the University of Southern California, and has given masterclasses at festivals like the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival. Category:American musicians