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“When a performer masters his instrument to the point it becomes an extension of his own voice, you know you are in the presence of a master. And if that performer also feels the call to create new music, the result is frequently entrancing. Chopin mastered the piano in such a way. Gary Schocker masters the flute with similar passion and skill.” --Anna Vorhes for the South Dakota Symphony
Gary Schocker is a world-renowned flutist as well as an award-winning composer with over 100 compositions in publication, primarily with Theodore Presser. He has published more pieces for the flute than any other living composer. His engagements have included performances with the New York Philharmonic (under Michael Tilson Thomas), the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, the West German Sinfonia and an extended tour with I Solisti Italiani as well as solo recitals in New York, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, Washington, and elsewhere. Schocker has collaborated with many artists on stage, including Pinchas Zuckerman, Michael Tilson Thomas, Earl Wild, Jessye Norman, Julius Baker, James Levine, James Galway, Bruno Canino, Oscar Shumsky, Eduardo Fernandez, Jean-Philippe Collard, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He concertizes in duo with guitarist Jason Vieaux.
Among the artists who have played his compositions, James Galway gave the American premiere of Green Places with the New Jersey Symphony. Schocker’s earlier association with that orchestra came when he replaced, for several concerts, an ailing Jean-Pierre Rampal, on a mere two hours’ notice. Winner of the 1985 Young Concert Artists Auditions, Schocker is also First Prize winner of the National Flute Association, the New York Flute Club and the East-West Artists Competitions. Internationally, he has toured and taught in Japan, Colombia, Panama, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Germany, France and Italy. Gary Schocker’s recordings include “Flute Forest,” released by Azica Records, featuring his composition as the title track, along with other solo flute selections. Azica also produced “Arioso,” a collection of baroque music for flute and guitar, recorded with internationally acclaimed guitarist Jason Vieaux. The Mozart Flute Quartets with the Chester String Quartet is on the Chesky Records label, which has also released a Gary Schocker solo CD of Bach, Handel and Telemann. His latest recordings on Jonathan Digital include a CD of all-Schocker compositions, Airborne; and Regrets and Resolutions, featuring his works as well as standard works from the French School. Dream Travels, on Azica Records, features Schocker with guitarist Jason Vieaux. The title track is Schocker’s composition written for the duo. Schocker’s musicals, Far From the Madding Crowd and The Awakening, written with lyricist Barbara Campbell, can be heard on Original Cast Records. His music can also be heard on the Sazas, Troy, Koch, MHS, SNE, Elysium, Gionata and Flying Frog labels. Mr. Schocker’s date of birth is October 18, 1959. He lives in New York City and Easton, Pennsylvania. |
