One of New Zealand’s foremost musicians, Mark Menzies was recently described in a Los Angeles Times review as an ‘extraordinary musician’ and a ‘riveting violinist’. Currently the coordinator of Western orchestral studies at the California Institute of the Arts, his career has seen concerts in Great Britain, Germany, France, Brazil, Mexico, United States and throughout New Zealand.

As Artistic Director and Concertmaster of the London-based Salomon Ensemble, his first CD recording with them was nominated for a Grammy; subsequent recordings include of a violin concerto by Eugene O’Brien (Indiana University) and a recital disk of New Zealand violin and piano music. The world premiere recording of Michael Finnissy’s …above earth’s shadow is due for release later this year.

An experienced concerto soloist, he has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Christchurch Symphony, the Sheffield Symphony, the La Jolla Symphony, the Salomon Ensemble, the Royal Academy Sinfonia, the Wellington Sinfonia, the St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra (NZ), and the New Vienna Ensemble. A commitment to contemporary music has led to Mark Menzies’ appointment to Sonor and Sirius, ensembles resident at the University of California, San Diego (1994-99). Performances included tours throughout California and Hawai’i, and participation in the June and Buffalo Festival (1996, 1998), as well as recording the solo violin part in Anthony Davis’ opera Tania. In addition to the violin, he performs frequently on the viola, and is an experienced pianist.

Mark Menzies is a National Recording Artist of Radio New Zealand. Mark Menzies frequently gives master classes on solo string playing and chamber music, as well as giving lectures on issues of present day performance practice in both avant garde music and music in older styles. In relation to this research, he is due to complete his dissertation for a PhD in Critical Studies of Music at the University of California, San Diego, next spring. He was guest lecturer in violin and chamber music at the University of Auckland in 1997; masterclass engagements have included at the University of Kansas, Wichita, at Auckland University, at the International Festival at Montenegro (Brazil) and at Unisinos, Sao Leopoldo (Brazil).