Elias Goldstein

About Elias

Norwegian-American violist Elias Goldstein has been praised by the Chicago Tribune for his "incredible performance" and by the Seattle Times as “ravishing.” Goldstein has distinguished himself as one of the great instrumentalists of his generation, frequently appearing as a soloist and chamber musician. Second prize winner of the 2011 Primrose & Bashmet International Viola Competitions, and a top prize-winner in the Tertis International Competition, he has achieved recognition and critical acclaim as a champion of his instrument. In 2016 he made his Carnegie Hall debut as the first violist invited to perform all 24 Caprices by Paganini, a program that later toured the United States and Europe.

As a recitalist, he has performed in many of the greatest halls of the world including Alice Tully, David Geffen, Seattle Symphony’s Benaroya Hall, the Kennedy Center, Salle Cortot, George Enescu Philharmonic, and Musikiitalo Helsinki. He frequently collaborates with the world’s foremost musicians including Noah Bendix-Balgley, Nobuko Imai, Eli Eban, Ilya Kaler, the Pro Arte, Shanghai, Latin American, Arianna, and Cavani Quartets. His solo and orchestral appearances have brought collaborations with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and the Bergen Philharmonic; his festival appearances include Valdres, Aspen Festival, Beijing International Music Festival, and Chautauqua Festival.

Dedicated to the expand the repertoire for viola, he has commissioned and premiered works by Jennifer Higdon and William Bolcom. In 2019 he gave the world premiere of Grammy-wining composer Jennifer Higdon’s Viola Songs and in 2018 he was personally invited by William Bolcom to perform for the composer’s 80th anniversary concert at Merkin Hall in New York.

Serving on the Executive Board of the American Viola Society, Goldstein is currently on Faculty at University of Delaware. He performs on a rare Saint Cecille Vuillaume viola made in 1850.