Meet the Musicians
Michael Fernandez
Principal Viola
Michael Fernandez represents one of the most versatile, active violists of his generation. His musical training with some of the great teachers of the 20th century (Josef Gingold, Abraham Skernick, Rostislav Dubinsky) and a musical lineage to the greatest artists of the 20th century (Abram Yampolsky, Eugene Ysaye, William Primrose, David Oistrack, Ivan Galamien) provided him with a foundation for a diverse career as a performer, teacher, and transcriber serving to continue on in the legacy of the great artists of the past.
He has appeared throughout the United States in recital series, benefit concerts, and international congresses as a soloist and as a member of both The Fonteyne Duo and The Dubinsky String Quartet. Fernandez has also collaborated with many fine ensembles including the Borodin Trio, DePasquale String Quartet, Esterhazy String Quartet, Spectrum, and Ygdrassil String Quartet. He has been a regular guest artist at The Rostislav Dubinsky Chamber Music Festival and has performed in the Kennedy Center (Terrace Theatre), Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall, and the Lincoln Center (Rose Theatre).
He has appeared throughout the United States in recital series, benefit concerts, and international congresses (International Viola Congresses XXIII , XXV, XXIX and Primrose International Viola Competition and Festival I) as a soloist and as a member of both The Fonteyne Duo and The Dubinsky String Quartet. Fernandez has also collaborated with many fine ensembles including Borealis String Quartet, Borodin Trio, Jupiter String Quartet, Miami String Quartet, and Ygdrassil String Quartet. He has been a regular guest artist at The Rostislav Dubinsky Chamber Music Festival and has performed in the Kennedy Center (Terrace Theater) Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall), the Lincoln Center (Rose Theater) and Marinskii Theater (Grand Foyer). Currently, Fernandez is a founding member of the Fernandez String Quartet and the Alys Stephens Center Chamber Players.
As a transcriber, Fernandez’ numerous works have met with critical acclaim, in particular his transcription of Asturias, now published by International Music Company. Fernandez is honored to be the 23rd and youngest editor in International Music Company’s history. Currently, Fernandez is spearheading a revival of the music and work of Vadim Borissovsky though numerous performances, in addition to the republication of Borissovsky’s music.
Fernandez a major advocate for rediscovering great music, has used his studies with Rostislav Dubinsky and Nelli Schkolnikova to help present music of Russian composers that Western audiences are unfamiliar with His work has helped bring to light many composers who were oppressed by the 20th century Soviet regime, including Alexander Volkonsky, Sulkhan Tsintnatdze, and Edison Denison. Other great Russian composers he has helped gain recognition for in the West include, Sergie Taneyev, Ivan Handoshkin, Kara Karaev, Piotr Bullakov, and Antolii Aleksandrov.
But his love of music is not only limited to Russia. Many European and American (North and South) composers have also benefited from his tireless efforts. Some of the viola music composers he has helped reintroduce to audiences worldwide include, Sir Arnold Bax, Miklos Rozsa, Cecil Forsyth, York Bowen, Sir John McEwen, Sally Beamish, Astor Piazzola, Alberto Ginastera, Alan Hovhaness, Arthur Benjamin, Carlos Guastavino, Sergie Prokofiev, and Dmitri Shostakovich, to name a few. Many of these composers will be represented in a series of CDs he will record for Centarur Records starting in the 2005-2006 season.
Michael Fernandez also believes in the need to help train the next generation of musicians making great efforts to teach and coach. In addition to coaching numerous young chamber ensembles throughout the continental U.S., Fernandez has taught at Indiana University, Charleston Conservatory of Music, Florida Gulf Coast School of Music, The String Summit, and the Franklin Pond Chamber Music Festival. He currently holds teaching positions at Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama-Birmingham in violin, viola, and chamber music.
He has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Virtuosi di Napoli, and The Camerata, in addition to serving in the principal chairs of the Florida Orchestra, Owensboro Symphony, Southwest Florida Orchestra, and currently, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
Michael Fernandez plays on a viola made by American Iuthier Sergio Peresson, the 1970 “Jenny Lind.” He lives in Birmingham, Alabama, along with his seven cats. When not practicing, performing, teaching, or transcribing, Michael enjoys playing tennis, gemology, horology, gardening, cooking (American and fusion cuisine), and classical literature.
