Michael Rusinek

Recordings

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 & Leshnoff: Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon

Michael Rusinek joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinetist in 1998 and holds the Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Silberman Chair. Born in Toronto, Canada, his early studies were with Avrahm Galper at the Royal Conservatory of Music and he later attended the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with Donald Montanaro. Upon graduation, Rusinek served as Assistant Principal Clarinet with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. In addition to his position with the Pittsburgh Symphony, he has performed as Principal Clarinet with the orchestras of Philadelphia, St. Louis, The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and The National Arts Center in Ottawa, Canada.

Rusinek has performed as a recitalist across Canada, the United States, and Israel, as concerto soloist with many orchestras, and as a featured soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra many times. In May 2008, he premiered and recorded a new concerto by composer Alan Fletcher that was commissioned for him by the orchestra.

Rusinek has participated in numerous music festivals around the world including Internationale Wolfegger Konzerte (Germany), Instrumenta Verano (Mexico), Bay Chamber, Music in the Vineyards, New York’s 92nd Street Y, and returns regularly to the Grand Teton, Santa Fe Chamber, and Marlboro music festivals.

Dedicated to teaching, Rusinek is a member of the faculties of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. He has led master classes at some of the leading institutions around the world, often adjudicates competitions and appeared on the jury for the inaugural Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition in Rouen, France.

Michael Rusinek Reviews:

“warm, burnished tonal proclivities that are a delight to the ear in this wonderful contrapuntal mélange” —Steven Ritter, Audiophile Audition