Peter Kolkay, bassoon

First Prize, 2002 Concert Artists Guild International Competition

• Recipient, 2004 Avery Fisher Career Grant
• First Prize, 2001 William C. Byrd Competition

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Called a “star ascendant” by San Francisco’s Classical Voice and “stunningly virtuosic” by The New York Times, bassoonist Peter Kolkay claimed First Prize at the 2002 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2004 and the 2006 Carlos Surinach Prize from BMI in recognition of “outstanding service to American music.” His vibrant career encompasses solo and collaborative performances, premiering new works, engaging with the standard repertoire and frequent recording projects.

Current highlights include recitals at Merkin Concert Hall and BargeMusic in Brooklyn and the Asociación Nacional de Conciertos of Panama; concerto engagements with the South Carolina Philharmonic, Waukesha Symphony and Greater Grand Forks Symphony; as well as debut performances at the Spoleto USA Festivals (the latter including chamber music and Vivaldi’s A minor bassoon concerto).  Recently named an Artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Mr. Kolkay performs numerous times seasonally at Alice Tully Hall, and he also enjoys regular engagements at the Bravo! Vail Valley, Music from Angel Fire, Music Mountain and Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festivals.  In addition, he performs regularly as a member of both the Iris Orchestra and the South Carolina Philharmonic.

Mr. Kolkay’s solo debut CD, entitled BassoonMusic and released in August 2011 on the CAG Records label, spotlights works by 21st century American composers, many of which were written specifically for him.  In addition, Peter Kolkay’s noteworthy recordings of Elliott Carter’s unaccompanied works Au Quai and Retracings were released by Bridge Records as part of a series of critically acclaimed CDs of the prolific composer’s chamber music.  His performances have been broadcast on Performance Today and on New York’s WQXR-FM. He has also appeared on the A & E’s “Breakfast with the Arts,” hosted by Elliott Forrest, as a result of his Avery Fisher Career Grant.

Mr. Kolkay recently performed the world premiere of Full Faith and Credit (a concerto for two bassoons and strings) by composer Harold Meltzer (2004-05 Rome Prize) with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, which led The Classical Voice to comment:  “His reputation is blossoming at a remarkable rate, perhaps not so surprisingly considering his many virtues. It wasn't merely technical control, but expressive depth that impressed.” The work was commissioned by CAG and supported by a joint partnership between the Brooklyn Friends of Chamber Music, the Westchester Philharmonic and the SFCO.  The New York premiere with the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin was presented by the Brooklyn Friends of Chamber Music, followed by performances with the Westchester Philharmonic, and he has since performed the piece with members of the Utah Symphony in a special performance in July 2008 for the annual conference of the International Double Reed Society. 

Featured recital engagements include a recital at Lawrence University, Mr. Kolkay’s alma mater, featuring the premiere of Judah Adashi’s The Dark Hours (co-commissioned by CAG and the BMI Foundation) and a joint performance at New York’s Symphony Space with flutist Christina Jennings on CAG’s New Music at the Thalia series.  Mr. Kolkay has been heard in recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and on Chicago’s Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series. As a chamber musician, he was a featured guest on a national tour with the ensemble Concertante and has performed at the Savannah Music Festival, La Musica Festival of Sarasota, FL, as well as the Bridgehampton, Cooperstown and Newport Chamber Music Festivals.