Marta Aznavoorian, piano | David Cunliffe, cello | Desiree Ruhstrat, violin

The violin artistry of Desiree Ruhstrat has captivated audiences throughout Europe and the Americas. As the Berlin Taggespiegel wrote, “…she played with such an intensive fire and sleepwalking assuredness that she was stormily celebrated by the audience." A seasoned performer, Ms. Ruhstrat made her professional debut at the age of twelve with Lukas Foss and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. At 16, Ms. Ruhstrat was invited by Sir George Solti to perform Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in Chicago's Orchestra Hall.

She has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout the world, including a live radio broadcast with the Berlin Radio Symphony, Gottingen Symphony, Philharmonia Da Camera, Orchestra Symphonica Auguescalientes, Mexico, Colorado Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Concerto Soloists Of Philadelphia, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Debut Orchestra of Los Angeles, Concord Chamber Orchestra, Concertante Di Chicago and National Repertory Orchestra. As an active recitalist, she has appeared throughout Europe as well as the United States, including concerts in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and the White House by invitation of President and Nancy Reagan.

Ms. Ruhstrat has won numerous awards including first prize at the National Young Musicians Debut Competition in Los Angeles, where she was also lauded a special award for a young performer with extraordinary talent. She became the youngest prizewinner at Switzerland's Tibor Varga International Competition and also won the award for best interpretation of the commissioned contemporary composition. She went on to earn top prizes at the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition, Julius Stulberg International String Competition, and the Mozart Festival Violin Competition. 

Ms. Ruhstrat's distinguished career as a chamber musician includes performances throughout the US as a member of the Lincoln Trio, including the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Oakmont Chamber Series, Indianapolis Symphony Beethoven Series, and Music in the Loft. She has also appeared as guest artist of the Chamber Music Series of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Apollo Chamber Ensemble, the Colorado Chambers Players, Pacifica Quartet, the University of Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Northwestern University Midwinter Series with Jorge Federico Osorio and Ani Kavafian. Festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, Peninsula Music Festival, Laurel Festival of the Arts, the Breckenridge Music Festival and the Green Lake, University Of Wisconsin, and Utah Music Festivals where she has also served as faculty.

Ms. Ruhstrat is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music. Her teachers include Joseph Gingold, Harold Wippler and Aaron Rosand. This season Ms. Ruhstrat recorded the Stamitz Duo for Violin and Viola for Centaur Records and Ravel Duo for Violin and Cello for Albany Records.