Mark Kosower

A modern player with a “signature sound” and distinctive style of playing, cellist Mark Kosower embodies the concept of the complete musician performing as concerto soloist with symphony orchestras, in solo recitals, and as a much admired and sought-after chamber musician. He is Principal Cello of The Cleveland Orchestra and a scholar and teacher of cello. Kosower has recorded for the Ambitus, Delos, Naxos International and VAI labels, including as the first cellist to record the complete music for solo cello of Alberto Ginastera (Naxos). He was described as a “powerful advocate of Ginastera’s art” by MusicWeb International, and Strings Magazine noted of his Hungarian music album (also with Naxos) that “the music allows Kosower to showcase his stunning virtuosity, passionate intensity, and elegant phrasing.”

In recent seasons Kosower has been guest soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Naples Philharmonic, the Phoenix Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony among others in addition to twenty-three concerto appearances with The Cleveland Orchestra. He has performed as soloist with Herbert Blomstedt, Sir Andrew Davis, Christoph Eschenbach, and Franz Welser-Möst. During the 2022-23 season Kosower performs Ernst Bloch’s Schelomo with The Cleveland Orchestra, Dvorak Concerto with the Brevard Symphony, recitals in Coral Gables and Carmel Valley, and chamber music performances at Guarneri Hall in Chicago, the North Shore Chamber Music Festival, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Taipei Music Academy & Festival.

He has also worked with students in lessons and master classes around the world including the New World Symphony fellows, the Shanghai Orchestra Academy, and the Baccarelli Institute of São Paulo and has been on the faculties at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory.