Ori Kam

Hailed by the New York Times as "an attractive, engaging presence on stage," violist Ori Kam has performed as soloist on some of the world's premier stages. After his debut at the age of 16 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Zubin Mehta, he was immediately re-engaged. Since then, he has performed with virtually every orchestra in Israel, the National Symphony at the in Washington DC, the New Jersey Symphony, the Bronxville Symphony, the Manhattan Philharmonia, and Sinfonia Varsovia.

Mr. Kam is a frequent recitalist and has performed extensively throughout the US, Europe, and Israel. His recital appearance at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital hall received reviews such as "(Kam is) a rare viola soloist," and "Mr. Kam's playing (was) at once mature and youthfully exuberant."

As an avid performer of chamber music, Mr. Kam is the violist of the Jerusalem String Quartet. He founded the Israel Chamber Music Society and was the violist of the Naumburg award winning Whitman String Quartet. He also founded the Kam-Porat Trio with His sister Sharon, and pianist Matan Porat. Independently, he has appeared alongside artists such as Isaac Stern, Daniel Barenboim, Andras Schiff, Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman. He has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and was guest artist in numerous festivals including Verbier, Tangelwood, Aspen, Santa-Fe, Schleswig-Holstein, La Jolla, the Schubertiade, and the Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival to name a few.

"I have heard many young viola players recently, and I am convinced that none is as extravagantly, naturally gifted as Ori Kam. He is already a great player, with a distinctive dark full sound, and an equally distinctive big personality!"
- SIR SIMON RATTLE