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Of Russian background, Martin Berkofsky was
born in 1943 in Washington, DC. Labeled a prodigy at the
early age of
eight, Berkofsky’s early years were marked by frequent
public appearances and television broadcasts. Over the
years Berkofsky has studied with renowned Polish virtuoso
Mieezyslaw
Munz, Konrad Wolff, and Hans Kann in Vienna.
Having resided abroad for thirteen years, Berkofsky performed
in more than 25 countries and appeared on over 100 radio
and television broadcasts. He has also recorded with both
the London and Berlin Symphonies. In addition, Berkofsky
appeared as co-director for the Long Island Chamber Ensemble
for three years.
Winner of the New York National Music League Young Artists
Competition, Berkofsky received a five-year contract to tour
the United States and was guest of Yale University’s
Stanford Fellowship in recognition of his role in the discovery
and restoration of Max Brunch’s long-lost Concerto
for Two Pianos and Orchestra.
Returning to the United States in 1991, Berkofsky appeared
at the Kennedy Center with Gervase de Peyer and James Bushwell,
members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society. As a
much sought-after pedagogue, Berkofsky has given master classes
and was awarded a Fulbright Professorship to serve on the
faculty of the Titograd Academy of Music.
In celebration of his 60th birthday and his victory over
cancer, Berkofsky will run 860 miles from Cancer Treatment
Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was treated,
to the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation in Arlington
Heights, Illinois. Beginning on April 9, 2003 the Celebrate
Life Run will raise funds for CTRF through concerts and donations
along Berkofsky’s race route.
This music scholar has much to celebrate.
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