Jerzy Kosmala, Viola

JERZY KOSMALA has established himself as one of the world’s premiere violists. Internationally acclaimed as a concert violist and pedagogue, Kosmala has concertized throughout Europe, the former Soviet Union, Canada, North and South America, Asia, and South Africa, and has recordings on Orion, Vox/MGM, and Centaur labels.

He is a frequent guest artist and performer at the world’s foremost festivals, International Viola Congresses, universities, and academies, including the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College, and Guildhall School of Music in London, England; the “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, Austria; Orfeo Music Festival, Italy; Eastman, Juilliard, Manhattan, Berlin, Cologne, Stuttgart, Dresden, Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Krakow, and Hong Kong Schools of Music; and Boston, Toronto, South California, Michigan, and Indiana Universities. 

Dr. Kosmala is a permanent jury member of virtually all the most prestigious international competitions, including the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition in the Isle of Man, the Geneva International Viola Competition in Switzerland, the International Viola Competition in Munich, Germany; the International Competition in Markneukirchen, Germany; the International Chamber Music Competition in Trapani, Italy; the International Primrose Viola Competition in the USA; the International Brahms Viola Competition in Austria, the International Viola Competition in Bled, Slovenia, and the Concert Artist Guild International Competition in New York City. 

In addition, Dr. Kosmala has adapted and published numerous compositions for viola and has premiered many contemporary works, some of which were written especially for him.  A former member of the Krakow String Quartet and renowned Eastman String Quartet, Kosmala is an erstwhile student of and assistant to the legendary William Primrose, and other masters, and a graduate of the Krakow Academy of Music, Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University.  A former member of the executive board of the American Viola Society, Jerzy Kosmala serves on the faculty of the University of California, Irvine, and is a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England.