Boston Philharmonic Welcomes Russian Violinist Ilya Kaler

06:16

February 23, 2011

Violinist Ilya Kaler, Radio Boston's Meghna Chakrabarti and the Boston Philharmonic's Benjamin Zander (Adam Ragusea/WBUR)

Russian violinist Ilya Kaler, who is considered one of the world's greatest violinists, is in Boston this week. Kaler is the only violinist in history to win three gold medals in the world's most prestigious competitions, the Tchaikovsky, Sebelius and Paganini competitions.

The 48-year old Maestro, who now calls Chicago his home, has been compared to Itzhak Perlman.

This weekend, Kaler will play polish composer Karol Szymanowski's "Violin Concerto No. 2" with the Boston Philharmonic. The concert will also include works from more well known composers Vaughn Williams and Edward Elgar and will be conducted by Benjamin Zander.

Guest:

Ilya Kaler, violinist
Benjamin Zander, music director, conductor, Boston Philharmonic

This segment aired on February 23, 2011.