“Local audiences were left slack-jawed by his artistry…His intonation was impeccable, his tone warmly expressive, his feeling for long-breathed phrases altogether sensitive...Mark well the name Zlatomir Fung. You will be hearing a good deal from this already-accomplished cellist in the years to come.”
John von Rhein, Chicago Classical Review, July 2023

Cellist Zlatomir Fung burst onto the scene as the first American in four decades (and youngest musician ever) to win First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition Cello Division. He has since been gathering accolades, critical acclaim and standing ovations at performances around the world, more and more widely recognized as one of the preeminent cellists of our time. 

Last season, he premiered Katherine Balch’s Whisper Concerto in his debut with the Dallas Symphony, where he “dispatched fearsome challenges with jaw-dropping brilliance" (Dallas Morning News). He was named Artist-In-Residence of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2023-2024 season; named to WXQR's Artist Propulsion Lab in 2023; and awarded a coveted Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship in 2022. 

In 2023-2024, he debuts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Springs Philharmonic (performing Anna Clyne's Dance for Cello and Orchestra), Sarasota Orchestra, and Winnipeg Symphony, as well as the Rhode Island and Sacramento Philharmonics. Internationally, he tours Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Japan, and gives the UK premiere of Katherine Balch's whisper concerto with the BBC Philharmonic. 

In the past two seasons, Fung has debuted with the New York Philharmonic, Detroit, Seattle, Milwaukee, Utah, Rochester, and Kansas City Symphonies. Internationally, he debuted with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, and Orchestra National de Lille. Recent recital tours include Wigmore and Carnegie Hall debuts as well as Cal Berkeley, Philadelphia, Chicago, Orange County, and Vancouver, among others. 

His performance this summer of Bach’s solo Cello Suites at The Breakers in Newport, RI, was described as “a stunningly radiant, resonant, and joyous account” (Boston Musical Intelligencer). 

2023-2024 Season Highlights – North American and U.K. Concerts

Sep 27, 2023 / London, UK
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist-in-Residence), Elena Schwarz, Conductor
ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor

Oct 12, 2023 / Winnipeg, MB
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (Debut), Daniel Raiskin, Conductor
SHOSTAKOVICH Concerto No.1 for Violoncello & Orchestra

Nov 18, 2023 / Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera (Debut), Ari Pelto, Conductor
ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor 

Jan 22, 2024 / Marathon, FL / RECITAL: Florida Keys Concert Association
Jan 23, 2024 / Tavernier, FL / RECITAL: Florida Keys Concert Association 

Jan 19-20, 2024 / Providence, RI
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (Debut), Ruth Reinhardt, Conductor
HAYDN Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major

Jan 25, 2024 / San Diego, CA
RECITAL / ECHO Chamber Music Series / With pianist Benjamin Hochman

Jan 28, 2024 / Santa Barbara, CA
RECITAL / UCSB Arts & Lectures / With pianist Benjamin Hochman

Feb 17, 2024 / London, UK 
BBC Philharmonic, Juanjo Mena, Conductor 
BALCH Whisper Concerto - UK Premiere

Feb 21, 2024 / London, UK
Feb 25, 2024 / Northampton, UK
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist-in-Residence), Shiyeon Sung, Conductor 
HAYDN Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major

May 3, 2024 / Boston, MA
Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Benjamin Zander, Conductor
SCHUMANN Cello Concerto in A minor

Mar 7, 2024 / Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (Debut), Ken David Masur, Conductor
SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1

Mar 23 & 24, 2024 / Colorado Springs, CO 
Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Chloé van Soeterstède, Conductor  
ANNA CLYNE Dance for Cello & Orchestra

May 11, 2024 / Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Orchestra (Debut), David Alan Miller, Conductor
TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on a Rococo Theme

May 16, 2024 / London, UK
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist-in-Residence), Emilia Hoving, Conductor
SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1

May 31, 2024 / Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands 
Tenerife Symphony Orchestra (Debut), Emilia Hoving, Conductor
SCHUMANN Cello Concerto in A minor