Timothy Lees, violinist
Timothy Lees, Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, is increasingly in demand for his thoughtful chamber music playing and controlled command of the orchestral literature. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Lees graduated from the Eastman School of Music where he received the coveted Performer’s Certificate, and, in March 1991, won third prize in the Sitson Ma International Violin Competition. He has distinguished himself both here and abroad, and has established his reputation as a leader by serving as concertmaster for the internationally renowned Spoleto Festival Orchestra, the New Jersey Symphony and the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Lees has given solo recitals in Cincinnati, Philadelphia and San Diego’s Mainly Mozart Festival. He is a former member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, where he also performed as a soloist. Mr. Lees has appeared as soloist with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performing such works as the Beethoven, Bruch and Korngold Violin Concertos, and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola. In March of 1999 he won critical acclaim for a Carnegie Hall performance with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Edith Eisler of Strings Magazine wrote: “The display of egotism is almost redeemed by the soaring melodies and the famous bravura violin solo, played with spectacular virtuosity by concertmaster Timothy Lees (Strauss, Ein Heldenleben)”.

An avid chamber musician, Mr. Lees has collaborated with such artists as Peter Wiley, Steven Tenenbom, Ida Kavafian, Yefim Bronfman and Jaime Laredo. Mr. Lees makes regular appearances at the Linton Chamber Music Series in Cincinnati, Ohio and has performed at the Spoleto, Sebago-Long Lake and Aspen Festivals. Timothy Lees plays on a 1748 J.B. Guadagnini violin graciously on loan to him from the collection of Mr. Charles Castleman.