Richard Stoltzman

Richard Stoltzman (born 1942) is an American clarinetist. He is perhaps the greatest and most well-known clarinetist who primarily plays classical music. He has played with over 100 orchestras, as well as many chamber groups and solo recitals, and has won many awards and made many recordings.

Stoltzman also plays some jazz music on the clarinet. Some of his recordings, such as his album "New York Counterpoint," feature his jazz and modern music.

He is also the leader of the Oppermann Clarinet Choir.

Education

Stoltzman was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of a jazz-playing railwayman, and spent his early years in San Francisco, California and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Stoltzman earned a Bachelor's Degree from Ohio State University with a double major in music and mathematics.

He then studied with Professor Keith Wilson at the Yale School of Music, where he received the Master of Music degree.

He worked toward a doctoral degree at Columbia University.

Performance Experience

Stoltzman began to make his name professionally at Vermont’s Marlboro Music Festival, and was a founding member of the chamber music group TASHI in 1973. Stoltzman has appeared as a soloist with numerous major symphonies, and international jazz festivals, and with stars such as Mel Torme, George Shearing, Judy Collins, Woody Herman, Wayne Shorter and others. In 1993, he was featured in the BBC series "Concerto!"

Awards and Recognitions

Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance:

• Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma & Richard Stoltzman for Brahms/Beethoven/Mozart: Clarinet Trios (1996)
• Richard Goode & Richard Stoltzman for Brahms: The Sonatas for Clarinet & Piano, Op. 120 (1983)
• On 1 September 2005, Stoltzman was presented with the Yale School of Music's Sanford Medal. The medal has been presented to "celebrated concert artists and distinguished members of the music profession" since 1972.[1]