Zlatomir Fung 2022-2023 Season Highlights

The first American in four decades and youngest musician ever to win First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition Cello Division, Zlatomir Fung is becoming one of the preeminent cellists of our time. Among the tremendous critical acclaim he received last season, Bachtrack wrote of his Carnegie Hall debut, “he quickly envelops every score he plays in an almost palpable golden aura.” Fung was also awarded a coveted Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship in 2022.

This season, he makes his debut with the Dallas Symphony with a world premiere written for him by Katherine Balch. “My upcoming cello concerto for Zlatomir,” said Balch, "is titled Whisper Concerto, named after the bristling, agitato ‘whisper cadenza’ of György Ligeti’s cello concerto. I want this piece to capture the kinetic virtuosity of Zlatomir’s playing, but also his kindness, gentleness of spirit, and warmth. The piece is intended to showcase an intimate, hushed virtuosity for both performer and orchestra alike, equal players in an endeavor to find a presto dolcissimo, a scorrevole in stillness, a vivace tranquillo.”

He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in Vail in July and makes his debut with the Milwaukee and Rochester Symphony Orchestras later this season.

2022-2023 Season Highlights:

February 24-25, 2023 / Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Debut
Han-Na Chang, conductor
Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations
Event page with program and location

April 13 & 15, 2023 / Rochester Symphony Orchestra Debut
Andreas Delfs, conductor
Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Major
Event page with program and location

April 20-22, 2023 / Dallas Symphony Orchestra Debut
World Premiere of “Whisper Concerto” by Katherine Balch, Written for Zlatomir Fung
Gemma New, conductor
Zlatomir Fung performs the world premiere of a new cello concerto written for him by one of today’s leading young composers, Katherine Balch, who has been called “some kind of musical Thomas Edison – you can just hear her tinkering around in her workshop, putting together new sounds and textural ideas.” Event page with program and location