Gilles Apap (France)
Gilles Apap, the French violinist described by Yehudi Menuhin as “the exemplary violinist of the twenty-first century,” has gained world fame not only for his virtuoso interpretation of the classical repertory, but also for his interest in all types of traditional music which he performs with the same devotion, love and mastery as he demonstrates with Bach, Mozart or Ravel. His engagements have included concerts in Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Balkans, Russia, Turkey, Israel, the east and west coasts of the United States, Canada, South America, New Zealand, India, China, Japan and Australia. More recently, he has also become a sought-after orchestral leader, combining solo activities with a particular orchestra work. In addition to performing, Apap gives numerous masterclasses and workshops worldwide, including in the Menuhin Academy, Gstaad; the Menuhin Forum, Bern; and the Menuhin School in London. To date he has released 11 CDs, the last eight on his own label, Apapaziz. He has been the subject of three film documentaries, and his work with young musicians is scheduled to be filmed on the occasion of a concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall with the Indiana University Youth Orchestra in 2013.