PETER MINKLER VIOLIST

Peter Minkler is heralded by the Baltimore Sun as an inspiring artist who “makes the viola sing.…” Having firmly secured his reputation as a musician of rare communicative warmth and possessing eloquent depth of expression, he was awarded Baltimore’s prestigious Mary Sawyers Baker Prize, and is a two-time recipient of both the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund Grant and the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in Classical Music Solo Performance. Mr. Minkler began his undergraduate studies with Robert Vernon at the Cleveland Institute of Music and earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he was a student of Francis Tursi. Intensive master classes with mentor William Primrose offered additional guidance, enduring wisdom, and inspiration. A longtime member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, he also holds the position of Principal Viola of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society Orchestra. Prior to his arrival in Baltimore, he served as Associate Principal Viola with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

An avid and versatile musician, Mr. Minkler is highly sought both locally and nationally as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician and has performed extensively throughout the Baltimore region as guest artist on numerous established local series.

Mr. Minkler has released two solo CDs on the Centaur Records label, both garnering exceptional reviews. The first, Viola Seul: Works for unaccompanied

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra 2023-24 viola, is a compilation of seven works that showcase the extraordinary qualities of the oft-maligned viola and was praised by allmusic: “Minkler’s playing is…thoroughly musical, insightful, witty, and highly nuanced…this album is likely to please anyone interested in solo string works or just solid, unpretentious, musical artistry.” Inner Voice, recorded in collaboration with pianist Lura Johnson, features four major 20th-century compositions and it was this recording of Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel that was used in multiple trailers for the Academy Award-winning film, Gravity. Of this CD, critic Carlos María Solare of The Strad writes, “Britten’s Lachrymae …is given an unusually well-structured performance that goes beyond superficial tonal beauties to reveal the score’s constitutive elements. While listening I felt that this is how William Primrose—the piece’s dedicatee—might have played it….” This as well as other critical acclaim continues to affirm his artistry and command of the instrument. As John Peter Thompson of the Prince Georgian writes, “If you get a chance to hear Mr. Minkler perform, you need to grab it.”