Elizabeth H. Coates | Concertmaster Chair
Described as “eloquent” (Dallas News) and “spellbinding . . . a disciplined musician beyond his years” (San Antonio Express News), 25-year-old violinist Eric Gratz is rapidly gaining recognition as a major musical personality. Currently in his fourth season as concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony, he enjoys a multi-faceted career of chamber, solo, and guest concertmaster appearances throughout the United States and abroad. His recent/upcoming debuts include Cactus Pear Music Festival, Incontri Musicali, Austin Chamber Music, and the Mainly Mozart Festival.
At the age of 17, Mr. Gratz made his solo debut with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, as well as a recital debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He has since appeared with the National Repertory Orchestra, Rice University Campanile Orchestra, Lexington Bach Festival Orchestra, and enjoys regular solo appearances with the San Antonio Symphony. Highlights for the 2015–2016 season include the release of Mr. Gratz’s debut recording of virtuoso works with pianist Euntaek Kim, a Beethoven Sonatas project with Sejoon Park presented by the San Antonio International Piano Competition, and continued performances with the Olmos Ensemble.
Mr. Gratz began violin studies at the age of four. His teachers have included Cho-Liang Lin, William Preucil, Linda Cerone, and Claudia Shiuh. A prizewinner of national and international competitions, he holds a Young Artist Diploma and Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, as well as a master’s degree in Violin Performance at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and was a recipient of the Anne and Charles Duncan Concertmaster Chair award. For more information, please visit ericgratz.net.