Matthew Cohen
Guest Artist – Viola
Ukrainian-American violist Matthew Cohen is a dynamic and versatile artist whose captivating performances have made him one of the most sought-after violists of his generation. Recently appointed as the violist of the Formosa Quartet and a founding member of Ensemble Elatós, he was a special prize winner at the prestigious Primrose International Viola Competition as well as garnering top prizes at the Citta di Cremona International Viola Competition in Italy, Vivo International Music Competition and the Art of Duo International Competition. Particularly
interested in advocating for the viola as a unique voice, he is challenging the misconception that the viola has a limited repertoire by bringing attention to lesser-known gems as well as arrangements of other masterworks.
Recent solo engagements include his Lincoln Center debut performing Bartok’s Viola Concerto with the Juilliard Orchestra in Alice Tully Hall, Hummel’s Potpourri with the Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Bartok’s Viola Concerto with I Virtuosi Italiani in Cremona, Italy, and presenting the world premiere of Garry Schyman’s viola concerto “Zingaro” with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. Upcoming appearances include performances at Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Irvine Philharmonic Society,
Music Mondays - Toronto, the University of Houston, and recitals for the Performing Arts Consortium in Hilton Head, South Carolina and Core Memory Music in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
Cohen is a graduate of the Juilliard School’s Master of Music program where he was the proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship. He has served as a member of the chamber music faculty at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Heifetz Institute and is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Opus 71 Concerts, a multidisciplinary concert series near New York’s Lincoln Center. His recording of York Bowen’s Phantasy for viola and piano with acclaimed pianist Vivian Fan is available on
the Soundset label.
In addition to his musical activities, he enjoys public speaking and has acted in a number of plays including various works of Shakespeare, Peter Pan, Auntie Mame, and the musical Bugsy Malone.