A native New Yorker of Russian and Greek descent, Charles Neidich began his clarinet studies with his father, Irving Neidich, at the age of eight, and continued them with the renowned teacher Leon Russianoff and, later in Moscow, with Boris Dikov. His reputation has grown steadily since his 1974 New York recital début while still a student at Yale. A series of prizes helped launch his early career: the Silver Medal in the 1979 Geneva International Competition, First Prize in the 1982 Munich International Competition and one of three Grand Prizes in the 1984 Accanthes International Competition in Paris. In 1985, he won the first major clarinet competition in the United States, the Walter W. Naumburg Competition, which catapulted him into prominence as a soloist. He has appeared in concerts throughout the world, including engagements throughout Japan, and a seven-city tour of the Soviet Union, with important world premières and collaboration with leading colleagues and ensembles. Charles Neidich has made numerous recordings on both modern and historical instruments, both as soloist and with his periodinstrument wind ensemble Mozzafiato. From 1985 to 1989 he was professor of clarinet at the Eastman School of Music, and is currently on the faculty of SUNY Stony Brook, the Juilliard School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and Brooklyn College CUNY.

Discography