World-Renowned Violinist Alexander Barantschik Joins San Francisco Conservatory of Music Faculty
SAN FRANCISCO, CA March 30, 2004 — Alexander Barantschik, currently concertmaster of San Francisco Symphony, will join the San Francisco Conservatory of Music faculty beginning in fall 2004. "We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Barantschik to the Conservatory," says President Colin Murdoch. "Our students will have the opportunity to work with a musician whom they hold in high esteem through his performances with the San Francisco Symphony."

"The Conservatory and the Symphony have a growing relationship; many members of the symphony are also on the faculty at the Conservatory and I look forward to becoming part of this community," comments Mr. Barantschik. In addition to the San Francisco Symphony he has also served as concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra (1989-2001) and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (1982-2001). He has also been an active violin soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, performing with a wide variety of renowned musicians including Mstislav Rostropovich, Antonio Pappano, Yuri Bashmet, Maxim Vengerov, and André Previn. Born in St. Petersburg in 1953, Mr. Barantschik attended the St. Petersburg Conservatory and went on to perform with the major Russian orchestras, including the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. After leaving Russia in 1979, he served as Concertmaster of Germany's Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. His many awards include first prizes in the International Violin Competition in Sion, Switzerland, and the Russian National Violin Competition.

Founded in 1917, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music offers music programs to graduate and undergraduate students, preparatory and adult extension classes, and community enrichment programs. The Conservatory presents over 360 public performances a year, reflecting the world-class talent of students, faculty, alumni and visiting artists. The Conservatory will be relocating to the expanded and refurbished Oak Street facilities in 2006, providing students, faculty and the Bay Area community with access to premiere musical resources in the heart of downtown.

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Carla Pasqualini
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415.759.3415
cjp@sfcm.edu