Cellist Alexander Hersh wins Pro Musicis Award

Cellist Alexander Hersh won the 2022 Pro Musicis International Award at the finals in New York City on March 21, 2022. His program was Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Sollima’s Lamentatio, and Paul Wiancko’s Microsuite,commissioned by Pro Musicis. Gil Kalish chaired the jury composed of legendary cellists Carter Brey, Tim Eddy, Joel Krosnick, Marcy Rosen, plus Carmit Zori and Paul Wiancko. November 30, 2022, Alexander will perform a program of his choice and the world premiere of Paul Wiancko’s new work Microsuite in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.

Alexander also received a Father Eugène Merlet Community Service Award of $4,000 for his project “Haydn’s Favorite Pizza,” a series of three free interactive chamber music concerts for underserved communities in Chicago. These concerts—in partnership with local music programs—will offer kids and their families a chance to learn about chamber music through the lens of Haydn, while enjoying a meal too. Each concert will feature a complete Haydn String Quartet performed by Alexander and fellow musicians from NEXUS Chamber Music, an artist-led collective focused on making chamber music more culturally relevant.