Raphael Klayman plays Brahms, Elgar, Rachmaninoff, Schumann and Bach

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Chaconne D'amour Brahms Sonata No. 2 in A major Elgar Salut D'amour, opus 12 Rachmaninoff Vocalise, opus 24 Schumann Romance in A, op. 94, no.2 Bach Partita no.2 in D minor, BWV1004 total playing time 65 min and 33 sec. Guarneri Records

Bio: New York based violinist Raphael Klayman has been repeatedly praised for the beauty of his tone, the depth and flair of his musicianship, his vivid rapport with audiences, and his rare balance of virtuosity and sensitivity. He has shared these qualities with audiences through such media as radio, television, concerto performances with orchestra, and innumerable recitals – including a New York Debut at CAMI Hall and a European Debut in Geneva, Switzerland, where he performed at the International Red Cross Museum and at the Palace of Athena. His Geneva Debut formed part of Concerts Atlantique's 1990 European International Festival. Selected through competitive auditions, he was among 54 soloists or ensembles chosen to perform at the Festival from over 1,400 applicants and was one of only two solo violinists so chosen. More recently, he performed as a soloist at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He has also performed chamber music in a number of venues, including New York's Merkin Hall. He has enlarged his repertoire in a personal way by composing a number of cadenzas and making numerous arrangements.

In addition to his solo and chamber music activities, Raphael Klayman has played in the American Symphony Orchestra, and has served as Concertmaster of the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra and the Regina Opera. Recently he has been active as a member of the Metro Lyric Opera, under the baton of Maestro Anton Coppola. He has performed in the York Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the New Jersey Pops, the Highlands Symphony, and the Staten Island Symphony. He has performed incidental solos in Carnegie Hall as Guest Concertmaster of the New England Symphonic Ensemble. More recently he has been very active with the St. Peter-by-the-Sea Orchestra, and the Chappaqua Orchestra, and has served as Guest Concertmaster for both groups. Always specializing in classical music, he has been very active in popular music as well. He has worked with Tony Bennett and was invited to be Concertmaster for a Broadway tour of "Miss Saigon". He has also served as Concertmaster for Ray Charles. He has performed as a member of the New York Pops, under the direction of Skitch Henderson. He also appears in an award-winning music video with Rascal Flatts.

In earlier seasons, Mr. Klayman toured the U.S. three times as a member of the Goldovsky Opera Theatre. More recently he has toured throughout Japan as a member of the New York Symphonic Ensemble, with whom he has also worked in New York's Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. He is Concertmaster and Personnel Manager of the Hellenic Symphony Orchestra, with whom he has also performed as a soloist several times. Additionally, he has served as Concertmaster and Personnel Manager of the New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra. He has performed in both capacities with the NJPO in Carnegie Hall.

A graduate of the Mannes College of Music in New York where he was a recipient of several scholarships, he also holds a Certificat de Stage from the Centre International de Formation Musicale in Nice, France. His early studies were with two former pupils of the legendary pedagogue, Leopold Auer – Harry Fratkin and Vladimir Graffman. He later studied with the noted violinist, Regis Iandiorio, and undertook advanced training with three of America's most distinguished virtuosos – Glenn Dicterow, Aaron Rosand, and Charles Libove. His chamber music coaches have included Paul Doktor, Claus Adam, and Lewis Kaplan.

Raphael Klayman's many non-musical interests include other aspects of the Arts and Humanities, reading, and book collecting. Mr. Klayman is a member of the Violin Society of America, and is listed in the Marquis "Who's Who in Entertainment" and "Who's Who in Emerging Leaders in America", as well as the American Biographical Institutes' "International Book of Honor". He also devotes a portion of his time to teaching.