North Bay Symphony Orchestra

The Heart's Jewel

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About Erika Raum

Known for her "engaging sensitivity and a gorgeously full tone," [THE STRAD], violinist Erika Raum continues developing a following here in her native country and internationally. Playing professionally since the age of twelve, Ms. Raum quickly rose through the ranks by taking first place at the 1992 Joseph Szigeti International Violin Competition in Budapest as well as the award for best interpretation of a Mozart concerto. She has returned on many occasions to perform in Hungary, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Germany, England, Italy and France. She has appeared as guest artist with such orchestras as the Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Szombathely Symphony Orchestra, the Austro-Hungarian Orchestra, and the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra.

A distinguished musician abroad, Erika also performs frequently throughout her homeland with orchestral appearances in cities such as Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Laval and Edmonton. Both a recitalist and chamber musician, some of her recent international highlights include the Festival Pablo Casals in Prades France, Beethoven Festival in Warsaw, the BargeMusic Festival in New York, Seattle Chamber Music Festival and past invitation include the Budapest Spring Festival, Szombathely Festival in Hungary, Carnegie Hall as well as the Caramoor and Prussia Cove festivals. Her performances are often heard on an array of radio networks like CBC across Canada and the NPR in the USA. In the 2010.11 season, Erika will perform in concerto with orchestras and will be featured in recital at the 2011 NAC Prairie Scenes.

Erika is a member of the ARC Ensemble (Artists of the Royal Conservatory), a chamber group specializing in the rediscovery of great 20th century composers and their music, with an emphasis on those whose lives were interrupted or even lost during the Holocaust. So far, they have released two CDs on the RCA Red Seal label, both of which were nominated for Grammy Awards. The Strad Magazine even gave Erika special mention for her performance noting that Erika had them “hanging on to her every note”. Further recordings include a partnership with internationally renowned pianist Anton Kuerti which produced a critically acclaimed world premiere recording of Carl Czerny's piano and violin works on the CBC Musica Viva label. Her most recent release for the Arktos label consists of the Brahms Horn Trio and another recording premiere: Pantheon by the esteemed composer (and mother!) Elizabeth Raum. She is also currently completing a disc of the complete violin and piano works of Krystof Penderecki with pianist Lydia Wong.

Erika is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she studied with the late Professor Lorand Fenyves and was awarded the prestigious Eaton Scholarship upon her graduation. She is also a recipient of The Canada Council for the Arts - Career Development Grant. Ms. Raum is currently on the faculties of The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto and the University of Toronto. She lives in Toronto with her husband, distinguished Canadian composer, Omar Daniel, their three-year-old daughter Roslein, and bouncing triplet babies Eero, Oskar, and Roxanne.