Cello Chat with Host Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb interviewing Professor of Cello Uri Vardi

On this episode of Cello Chat, my special guest is Professor of Cello at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Uri Vardi. Cellist Uri Vardi has performed as a recitalist, soloist, and chamber player across the United States, Europe, Far East, South America, and his native Israel. Born in Szeged, Hungary, Vardi grew up on kibbutz Kfar Hahoresh, Israel. He studied at the Rubin Academy in Tel Aviv, was an Artist Diploma student at Indiana University, and earned his master’s degree from Yale University. His Cello teachers have included Janos Starker, Aldo Parisot, Eva Janzer, and Uzi Wiesel. Other influential musicians in his life have been Gyorgy Sebok, Rami Shevelov, Rachel Adonaylo and Lorand Fenyves. Vardi served as Assistant Principal cellist of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Principal cellist of the Israel Sinfonietta, and was a founding member of the Sol-La-Re String Quartet. In 1990, following an extensive teaching and performing career, Vardi was appointed cello professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Vardi is the founder and artistic director of the National Summer Cello Institute (NSCI) in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2017 the Institute was renamed to: Your Body Is Your Strad(YBIYS), and re-located to Caroga Lake, NY. Vardi is regularly invited to perform and present workshops, seminars, and master classes at major music schools, summer music festivals, and professional orchestras including: Musicorda Festival, Greenwood, Heifetz Institute, Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival, New World Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Steans Music Institute (RSMI) among others. Trained as a Feldenkrais practitioner, Vardi focuses on the correlation between musical expression, sound, body awareness, and movement in his teaching and performance. Throughout his career, Uri Vardi has continuously initiated new projects and collaborations, bringing to life rarely- performed music (e.g. CD of Jewish music from the St. Petersburg School), and bridging cultural and musical divides (e.g. 'Fusions' - A chamber music project of Jewish music and Arab art music, that toured the US and Israel on multiple occasions and culminated in the commission of 'Forty Steps' by Joel Hoffman, a Double Concerto for Cello, Oud, and Symphony orchestra, premiered with the Madison Symphony Orchestra). Vardi has released two albums with the Delos Production label and is currently in the final stages of releasing a new album with Centaur Records. Vardi’s Students have been successful as soloists, chamber players, faculty members of major music schools and members of major orchestras. Learn more: https://www.urivardi.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn all about the Cello! You Had Me at Cello empowers you to explore different ways to learn about the cello. Our collection of cello advice, teachings, and recordings are from lifelong learners who want to share their knowledge with those who are just beginning to learn the cello to those who are advancing their expertise. Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb is a celebrated musician, teacher, and scholar. As a Professor of Cello and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, he brings his passion for teaching and performing to this channel. Here, you'll find tips, tutorials, and insights into playing the cello, inspired by his studies with Phyllis Young, George Neikrug, and Evan Tonsling. Stay connected with "You Had Me at Cello" Website: https://www.youhadmeatcello.com Facebook:   / cellodoctorwhitcomb   Instagram:   / youhadmeatcello_   Subscribe, like, and share to support the channel and stay updated with new content!