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Amanda Forsyth

Amanda Forsyth (born October 12, 1966) is a Canadian cellist acclaimed for her virtuosic solo performances, collaborations, and orchestral leadership, particularly as the former principal cellist of the Orchestra from 1999 to 2015. Born in and immigrating to as a child, Forsyth has built an international career spanning six continents, earning praise for her rich tone and technical precision. Forsyth began her musical training at age three and later studied with renowned pedagogues William Pleeth in and Harvey Shapiro at . By age 24, she had completed two seasons as a guest principal with the , launching a trajectory that included principal cello positions with the Calgary Philharmonic and Orchestras. As a soloist, she has appeared with major ensembles such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, , Israel Philharmonic, and , including notable debuts like her 2014 Carnegie Hall performance with the Israel Philharmonic and a 2019 Brahms Double Concerto rendition under with the . A founding member of the Zukerman Chamber Players and cellist of the Zukerman Trio since 2013, Forsyth regularly performs at prestigious festivals including , , , Ravinia, and Aspen. Her 1997 recording of Electra Rising, a composed by her father, Forsyth, contributed to its Juno Award win in 1998 for Best Classical Composition. Her discography features acclaimed releases on labels like Sony Classics, , and Analekta, including Schubert's "Trout" Quintet and the Brahms Double Concerto, while she performs on a 1699 Carlo Giuseppe Testore cello. In recent seasons, such as 2024–2025, she continues to tour extensively, with engagements in venues across and world premieres like Marjan Mozetich's in 2018–2019 with the Orchestra.

Early life and education

Early life

Amanda Forsyth was born on October 12, 1966, in . At the age of two, her family relocated to , , where she spent her formative years. Less than a year later, Forsyth began studying the at age three, marking the start of her musical journey in the Canadian city. Growing up in a musical household, Forsyth received significant early exposure to composition through her father, Malcolm Forsyth, a renowned Canadian and trombonist. This influence was evident from a young age, as she performed his work Six Episodes After Keats during her childhood.

Education

Amanda Forsyth's advanced musical training began in her pre-teen years when, at age 11, she traveled to for an intensive 18-month period of study with renowned cellist William Pleeth in , who had also mentored figures like . This formative experience marked the start of her progression toward professional-level instruction during her late childhood. In her late teens, Forsyth enrolled at the in , where she studied under Harvey Shapiro as a scholarship student, honing her technique and orchestral skills. During this time, she served as principal cellist of the Juilliard Orchestra, gaining practical leadership experience in ensemble performance. She completed her degree there in 1989, entering early adulthood with a solid foundation in cello performance. Following her Juilliard graduation, Forsyth continued her development through private lessons with cellist in , further refining her interpretive and soloistic approach. This phase of mentorship extended her educational journey into her early twenties, bridging academic training with emerging professional opportunities.

Professional career

Orchestral positions

Forsyth began her orchestral career with two seasons in the starting at age 21. By age 24, she was appointed the youngest principal cellist in the history of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra by music director Mario Bernardi, a position she held for six years during the . In this role, she provided leadership to the section, contributing to the orchestra's performances of core symphonic repertoire under various conductors. In 1999, Forsyth joined Canada's Orchestra (NACO) as principal cellist, serving in that capacity until 2015. During her 16-year tenure, she not only led the cello section but also frequently appeared as a soloist with the ensemble, enhancing its programming through her interpretive depth and technical prowess. Notable contributions included performances of her father Malcolm Forsyth's Electra Rising (1993), composed specifically for her, highlighting her emotional connection to Canadian contemporary music. She also recorded the Brahms Double Concerto with violinist and the NACO, preserving a key romantic work in the orchestra's discography. In 2015, Forsyth resigned from her principal position at NACO to focus on her growing solo and chamber music pursuits, performing her final concerto appearance with the orchestra that February in the Brahms Double Concerto. Following her departure, she has made occasional guest appearances with NACO, including as soloist in the 2018 world premiere of Marjan Mozetich's , commissioned for her.

Solo and chamber performances

Following her resignation from the position of principal cellist with the Orchestra (NACO) at the end of the 2014-2015 season, Amanda Forsyth transitioned to a full-time career as a soloist and chamber . This shift allowed her to prioritize independent artistic pursuits, building on her orchestral foundation to expand her international presence as a recitalist and concerto soloist. Forsyth has since undertaken extensive global recital tours and solo appearances with major orchestras worldwide. Notable engagements include tours with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, , English Chamber Orchestra, and , where she has performed as a featured soloist in venues across , , and . Her recitals often highlight her interpretive depth in the standard cello repertoire, from Bach suites to Romantic concertos by Elgar and Dvořák, earning acclaim for her rich tone and dynamic phrasing. As a founding member of the Zukerman Chamber Players since 2003, Forsyth has been central to the ensemble's worldwide tours, performing in countries such as , , , the , , , and . The group, which includes violinist and other prominent musicians, specializes in intimate chamber works by composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert, with Forsyth's cello often providing melodic anchor in string trios and quartets. She also serves as cellist for the Zukerman Trio, extending these chamber explorations to piano trios in festivals and series across , , , , and . In recent years, Forsyth's activities have included high-profile appearances at summer festivals and ongoing chamber commitments. During the 2024 Eastern Music Festival, she performed Beethoven's Triple Concerto for violin, cello, and piano with violinist Chee-Yun and pianist Marika Bournaki, conducted by , as part of the festival's program on July 20 in . For the 2024-2025 season, she continues with the Zukerman Trio in engagements across (Sonoma and ), (Sedona), and (), alongside a USA tour with the Jerusalem Quartet offering sextet repertoire with in 2024. In 2025, she performed with the Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble at in October and continued with the Zukerman Trio at the Chicago Symphony Center in March and in May.

Notable collaborations

Forsyth has engaged in notable collaborations with renowned cellists, including , contributing to her reputation in intimate ensemble settings. A significant orchestral collaboration came in 2007 when Forsyth served as cellist on the soundtrack for ' PBS documentary series The War, under the direction of , blending classical and elements to underscore the narrative. Forsyth frequently performs alongside violinist , with whom she co-founded the Zukerman Chamber Players and serves as cellist in the Zukerman Trio, appearing at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including in 2019 where they premiered Avner Dorman's Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. As a guest soloist, Forsyth has appeared with leading American orchestras, notably making her debut with the under in a performance of Brahms' Double Concerto alongside Zukerman. She has also performed as soloist with the , showcasing her dynamic presence in major symphonic contexts.

Recordings and awards

Discography

Amanda Forsyth has built a notable through her collaborations with prestigious labels such as Marquis Classics, Records, , Sony Classics, Analekta, and Historic Films/Sony, spanning , orchestral works, and film soundtracks. Her recordings often highlight her interpretive depth in contemporary and classical repertoire, earning praise for her lyrical tone and technical precision. Critics have commended her contributions for bringing emotional resonance and vitality to the performances. One of her seminal releases is the 1999 album Soaring with on Marquis Classics (MAR231), featuring seven works by her father, composer Malcolm Forsyth, composed specifically for her over two decades. Accompanied by pianist Peter Longworth, the recording includes pieces like the title track and , showcasing Forsyth's ability to navigate the composer's idiomatic writing for , which blends with rhythmic vitality. This album underscores her personal connection to her father's music, presenting a program that traces her artistic growth from childhood studies. In 1997, Forsyth released Electra Rising: The Music of Malcolm Forsyth on CBC Records (SMCD 5180), a collection of three major orchestral works by her father, with her as soloist in the cello concerto Electra Rising (1995). Performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra under Grzegorz Nowak, and featuring saxophonist William H. Street in the Saxophone Concerto "Tre Vie", the album highlights Forsyth's masterful handling of color, dynamics, and musical architecture in the concerto's innovative structure, described by reviewers as "vigorous, handsome music" with impressive contrapuntal imagination. The recording's eloquent portrayal of the concerto's intense beauty has been noted for its professional orchestration and expressive depth. Forsyth's 2006 Naxos recording American Journey (8.559235) explores 20th-century American miniatures, including works by , , , and , with violinist Arnold Steinhardt and others like pianist . Her contributions, particularly in Grusin's 3 Latin American Dances, are praised for their magical interplay and energetic spark, elevating the program's chamber vitality and making her a standout element in the well-played ensemble. This release exemplifies her versatility in American classical idioms, blending influences with traditional forms. A significant collaborative effort came in 2007 with on the soundtrack for Ken Burns's documentary The War (Historic Films/Sony), where Forsyth's features prominently in original compositions and arrangements, such as "American Anthem" with pianist . The album's evocative selections, blending period pieces with new music, have been lauded for their emotional impact and role in enhancing the film's narrative of sacrifice and resilience, with Forsyth's warm, lyrical playing adding poignant depth to the wartime themes. Other notable releases include her 2008 Sony Classics recording of Schubert's "Trout" Quintet with and the Zukerman Chamber Players, praised for its buoyant energy and ensemble precision, and the 2015 Analekta album of Brahms' Double Concerto with and the Orchestra, featuring her acclaimed partnership in the work's dramatic dialogue.

Awards and honors

Amanda Forsyth received the Juno Award for Best Classical Composition in 1998, recognizing her recording and performance of the cello concerto Electra Rising composed by her father, Malcolm Forsyth. This accolade highlighted her role in championing Canadian compositional talent and perpetuating her father's legacy through dedicated performances and recordings of his works throughout her career. Forsyth has earned widespread critical acclaim as one of North America's most dynamic cellists, praised for her intense richness of tone and remarkable technical prowess. In a 2018 review of her performance with the New West Symphony, California's Ventura County Star described her playing as "sheer magic," emphasizing the effortless flow of expressiveness from her instrument. Reviewers have consistently ranked her among the finest Canadian cellists of her generation for her contributions to the nation's musical heritage. Following her departure from the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 2015, Forsyth's solo career garnered further recognition through invitations to prestigious international festivals, including , , and the . In the 2018-2019 season, she received the honor of giving the world premiere of Marjan Mozetich's with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, underscoring her ongoing impact on contemporary Canadian repertoire. More recently, she was invited as a featured to the Syros International in 2024.

Personal life

Family

Amanda Forsyth is the daughter of Canadian composer Malcolm Forsyth (1936–2011) and his first wife Lesley, a former . She is the only child of her parents. Her father's influence profoundly shaped her musical path, as he composed the Electra Rising specifically for her, a work she premiered in 1995 and has since performed extensively in tribute to him following his death from brain cancer. This familial connection to composition provided Forsyth with early immersion in a creative musical environment, reinforcing her commitment to the from a young age. Forsyth has been married to Israeli-American violinist since 2004, when they wed on the island of in a ceremony noted as Ottawa's "society wedding of the year." The couple, who met while both serving with the Orchestra, maintains a close personal and professional partnership. They reside primarily in a apartment, where Forsyth balances her international touring schedule with home life. No public information is available regarding children or other members.

Instruments

Amanda Forsyth primarily performs on a rare crafted in 1699 by Carlo Giuseppe Testore, a prominent Milanese active from around 1683 to his death in 1738. Testore, considered the finest member of his family workshop and a pupil of Giovanni Grancino, produced instruments that exhibit strong influences from his mentor while demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship rivaling other leading makers of the era. This , originating from , represents a significant example of late 17th-century making, valued for its historical authenticity and tonal qualities. The instrument's unique features include its rarity among surviving Testore cellos, with Forsyth affectionately referring to it as "Carlo" in personal accounts, and an estimated worth in the hundreds of thousands of dollars due to its age and provenance. Forsyth has utilized this cello extensively in her career, employing it for international solo engagements with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic, as well as chamber music appearances worldwide. In recordings, it features prominently on releases like the Brahms Double Concerto with Pinchas Zukerman on Analekta Records, where its rich, expressive timbre enhances the performance, and in tributes to her father Malcolm Forsyth's compositions on Naxos. No other notable instruments are documented in her professional use.

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