Official Biography
Violinist Frank Almond held the Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for 25 years until 2020. He also held the ConcertMaster position with the Rotterdam Philharmonic with Valery Gergiev and Guest Concertmaster of the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Kurt Masur.
Frank has regularly performed as a soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and as soloist and chamber musician throughout the US and Europe. He is the founder of his own chamber music series in Milwaukee, Frankly Music, consistently recognized for innovative programming and its ability to attract leading performers from around the world. His most recent appearances were with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, the Music Academy of the West (CA) and the Manchester Music Festival (VT).
At 17, Frank Almond was one of the youngest prizewinners in the history of the Nicolo Paganini Competition in Genoa, Italy, and five years later was one of two American prizewinners at the Eighth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, which was documented in an award-winning PBS film.
His extensive recording discography includes a wide range of repertoire on various labels that have garnered multiple Grammy nominations.
His most recent series of recordings, A Violin’s Life, chronicles the extraordinary history and lineage of his current violin, the 1715 Lipiński Stradivarius. This instrument has direct ties to Giuseppe Tartini, Edvard Grieg, Johannes Brahms, and Robert and Clara Schumann. Volume 3 of A Violin’s Life is scheduled for release in 2023 on the AVIE label, featuring works of Grieg, Tartini, and the newly discovered Piano Trio of Amanda Maier.
On January 27, 2014, the “ex-Lipiński” Stradivarius was stolen from Mr. Almond in an armed robbery after a concert. The violin was recovered nine days later, and the story continues to make headlines around the world. The robbery and recovery are the subject of a documentary film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019. Frank will has also been featured on a hit edition of” The Moth Radio Hour” from Alice Tully Hall, the critically acclaimed story-telling program heard on Public Radio stations nationwide.
Community outreach and giving back to the Milwaukee community are also at the heart of Frank Almond’s artistic priorities. He mentors young musicians of all performing levels and backgrounds, and performs in nontraditional venues where classical music has a rare and unusual presence.
Frank holds two degrees from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Dorothy Delay, Michael Tseitlin, Felix Galimir, and Joseph Silverstein. He currently serves on the Faculty at Roosevelt University in Chicago and is the Johnston Artist-in-Residence at the Milwaukee Youth Symphony, the largest youth arts program in the United States. Previous teaching positions include positions at Northwestern University and Texas Christian University.
More information about Frankly Music, A Violin’s Life and the Lipiński Stradivarius is available at frankalmond.com.
Photos
Content referencing Frank Almond
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Announces Appointment of New Concertmaster: Jinwoo Lee
May 8th, 2023 by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Festival City Symphony Concert Jan. 20 Featuring Frank Almond
In Person, Live Stream Tickets Available
Jan 6th, 2021 by Festival City Symphony
Marquette University to cohost social justice summit with NŌ STUDIOS
The summit will feature a variety of activists, artists, authors and academics converging to discuss the lived experience of disenfranchisement and offer solutions to some of the most pressing social justice issues affecting us locally, nationally and internationally.
Nov 11th, 2019 by Marquette University
Frank Almond to Celebrate Final Season with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra after 25 Years as Concertmaster
As the Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair of the MSO, Almond holds arguably the most prestigious and visible role within the orchestra.
Sep 20th, 2019 by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Festival City Symphony’s May 7 Season Finale Features “Pioneers and Prodigies”
Monte Perkins Conducts His Final “Symphony Sundays” Concert
Apr 11th, 2017 by Festival City Symphony
Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2014 State of the City Address
Milwaukee February 24, 2014 As Prepared for Delivery
Feb 24th, 2014 by Tom Barrett
Festival City Symphony Offers “Timeless Romance” Symphony Sundays Concert
Festival City Symphony will continue its “Symphony Sundays” series with a concert titled Timeless Romance on Sunday, March 16, 2014, at 3:00 pm at the Pabst Theater, 144 East Wells Street.
Feb 14th, 2014 by Festival City SymphonyAnother Opportunity to Hear the ‘Lipinski’ Sradivarius!
Violinist Frank Almond with the beloved ‘Lipinski’ Stradivarius will solo and conduct on the Wisconsin Philharmonic concert, Viva Verdi, Viva Vivaldi on February 23, 2014 at 3:00pm at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.
Feb 12th, 2014 by Wisconsin Philharmonic
Reward to be offered for Stolen Lipinski Stradivarius
$100,000 reward offered for information leading to the safe return of the violin
Jan 31st, 2014 by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
