By Stephen Sokolouski, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Zachary Cohen

We’re thrilled to share the news that Zachary Cohen has been named our new Principal Bass. Zach has been Guest Principal Bass this season, and this appointment makes his position permanent.

Zach is well-known and deeply respected bassist and brings to the SPCO particular talents as a chamber musician. He’s involved with various cutting-edge chamber ensembles including The Knights. A native of the Bronx, Zach won the position of principal bass of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in his senior year of Juilliard at the age of 22. He received his Bachelor of Music from Juilliard where he studied with legendary bassist Homer Mensch. During his summers Zach has performed at the Marlboro Music Festival, Grand Teton Music Festival, and The Dresden Musikfestspiele. As an active chamber musician Zach has collaborated with a wide range of artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Richard Goode, Mitsuko Uchida, Midori, Mark O’Connor and members of the Guarneri and Mendelssohn quartets. He has also worked closely with some of today’s most respected composers such as Henri Dutilleux, Osvaldo Golijov, and Mario Davidovsky.

An audition committee of SPCO musicians made the decision to offer the position to Zach. Kyu-Young Kim, our Principal Second Violinist and Senior Director of Artistic Planning, writes:

We are thrilled to have Zach as our new Principal Bass. Zach brings such joy and enthusiasm to his music making and the effect on the other players in the SPCO is palpable.  He brings tremendous technical and musical skills, a wealth of experience and a depth of understanding of the chamber orchestra repertoire in all of its diversity.  He will be an absolutely vital part of the future of the SPCO.

SPCO President Bruce Coppock writes:

Since joining the SPCO as Acting Principal Bass for the 2014-15 season, Zach has repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the SPCO and its audiences through his exemplary playing and leadership week after week. He unquestioningly embraced tremendous responsibility and leadership through his exceptional work with new Artistic Partner Patricia Kopatchinskaja, remaining flexible and responsive to the vision and evolving artistic endeavors undertaken during her two weeks with the SPCO in the fall. His willing and exuberant engagement with music-making is contagious.

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Zach as a permanent member of the orchestra.