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B i o g r a p h y

Israeli-born musician Benjamin Shapira is one of the leading cellists of his generation. At an early age, he was selected by Isaac Stern to join a small group of young protégé artists, where he studied with many celebrated musicians such as Leonard Rose, Janos Starker, Henryk Szeryng, and Stern himself.

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Shapira was later invited to the United States to complete his studies. He attended Yale University, under the tutelage of Aldo Parisot, and continued at Rutgers University, studying with Zara Nelsova.

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Shapira's celebrated Carnegie Hall performance of the Complete Bach Suites for Cello Solo received critical acclaim and launched his international career. Following this event, he was invited to perform the complete Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

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Shapira's radio and television performances include recordings for the National Public Radio, the Bavarian National Radio, Voice of America, the Israeli National Radio, the Mexican National Radio, WNBC, and WCBS.

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In acknowledgment of his achievements, Shapira was recognized as an Artist of National Interest by the United States government and was thus awarded American citizenship.

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P r i z e s  &  a w a r d s

  • Artist International Competition, NY (1993): Winner of Cello Award.

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  • The Metropolitan Symphony Concerto Competition (1994): First Prize.

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  • "Outstanding Musician" of the Israeli Government.

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  • Israeli National Radio Competition: First Prize.

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  • Israeli Music Competition: First Prize. 

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  • America Israel Cultural Foundation: Various Awards

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  • Jewish National Fund: Special Award

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  • The Jerusalem Music Academy Concerto Competition:  First Prize.

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  • Yale University: Excellence Scholarship.

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  • Rutgers University: Excellence Scholarship.

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  • Jerusalem Music Academy: Excellence Scholarship. 

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S e l e c t e d     p e r f o r m a n c e s

  • Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall: Bach's Six Suites for Cello Solo.

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  • Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall: Beethoven's Five Sonatas for Cello and Piano.

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  • Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall: "From Bach to Kodaly", A solo cello Recital

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  • Concerto soloist with orchestras such as: Meriden Symphony Orchestra, Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, Hamden Symphony Orchestra, Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra, Plainfield Symphony Orchestra etc.

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  • Solo Recitals at concert series such as: Music at Canterbury Concert Series, Quinnipiac College Concert Series, Donnell Concert Series, Swiss Cultural at the Swiss Embassy in NY, the New York Musical Club etc. 

D i s c o g r a p h y

  • A Family Portrait: Benjamin Shapira and Shulamith Shapira perform works by Rachmaninov, Schumann and Shapira. IRC label.

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  • The Romantic Cello: Benjamin Shapira and Shulamith Shapira perform works by Faure, Saint Saens, Chopin among others. IRC label.

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  • Brahms Sonatas: Benjamin Shapira and Shulamith Shapira perform the two sonatas by Brahms for Cello and PIano. IRC label.

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