Jonathan Pasternack conducts the University Symphony in a program of works by Bartók, Saint-Saëns, and Brahms. Program selections include Béla Bartók: Dance Suite; Camille Saint-Saëns: Concerto for Violoncello No. 1, featuring Toby Saks, cello; and Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4.

ARTIST BIOS

Toby Saks, cello

Toby Saks is the founder and Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society since its inception in 1982. Professor of cello at the University of Washington since 1976, she is a frequent adjudicator at regional and national competitions. Saks has performed in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the former U.S.S.R., and Israel. Her chamber music credits include Boston Chamber Music Society and the festivals of Sitka, Vancouver, Cascade Head, Bargemusic, St. Cére, New Mexico, Amsterdam, Juneau, Marlboro, Stratford, Spoleto, and Anchorage. In 1988 she led musicians of the Seattle Chamber Music Festival on a two-week tour of the Soviet Union.

Saks was first prizewinner at the International Pablo Casals Competition in Israel and a top prizewinner at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. A recipient of Fulbright and Rockefeller grants, she studied with Leonard Rose at Juilliard and with Andre Navarra at the Conservatoire de Musique in Paris. She made her Town Hall debut at age 18, after winning the New York Young Concert Artists auditions, and was a member of the New York Philharmonic from 1971-76.

Jonathan Pasternack, conductor

Dr. Jonathan Pasternack is Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Washington School of Music during the 2010-11 academic year. He has conducted orchestras, opera and ballet in the United States and Europe, with such ensembles as the London Symphony Orchestra, Residentie Orkest of the Hague, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, among many others. His debut recording, leading the London Symphony Orchestra in Béla Bartók's Miraculous Mandarin suite and the Symphony No. 1 by Johannes Brahms, was released in January 2011 on the Naxos label.

Dr. Pasternack has served as Assistant Conductor with the Oregon Symphony, Resident Conductor and Managing Director of the Icicle Creek Music Center in Leavenworth, and Visiting Director of Orchestral Activities at Pacific Lutheran University. He has served as guest faculty at the University of Washington, Central Washington University, East Oregon University, Pacific University, Conservatoire de Maurepas in France and Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique de Genève in Switzerland.