At just 25 years of age, Yamen Saadi was appointed concertmaster of the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic in the 2022/23 season. The Berliner Morgenpost described Saadi’s playing as truly “beguiling sound” in view of his already successful career as both a soloist and chamber musician. His playing is characterized by an astonishing maturity and captivates with serene lyricism, impressive virtuosity and timeless elegance.
As a soloist, Saadi has performed with renowned orchestras around the world: in addition to the aforementioned Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Orquestra de València, the Kremerata Baltica, the Harvard Orchestra, the Galilee Chamber Orchestra and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra – under renowned conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Lawrence Foster, Leonidas Kavakos, Yaron Traub and Christoph Poppen.
Saadi has also performed at numerous renowned festivals and in the major concert halls of Europe, Asia and the USA. Highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall, the Rheingau Festival, the Schleswig- Holstein Music Festival, the Jerusalem Festival and Schloss Elmau.
In January 2022, Saadi released his first recital album titled “Voices From Paris”, together with the outstanding pianist Nathalia Milstein.
Yamen Saadi was born in Nazareth and began his violin studies at the Barenboim Said Conservatory. He later continued his studies under the direction of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra’s outstanding concertmaster, Chaim Taub. He joined the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the age of 11. At the age of just 17, he was appointed concertmaster of this renowned orchestra. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he studied with the acclaimed violinist Mihaela Martin.
In 2020, Saadi gained wide attention and recognition when he won first prize at both the Aviv Competition and the prestigious Paul Ben Haim Competition. Later, Saadi founded the award-winning Chianti Ensemble, a piano quintet of unparalleled expressiveness that astonishes with its impressive interpretations
On stage Yamen Saadi presents himself with the legendary violin “Ex Lord Amherst of Hackney, Ex Fritz Kreisler” by Antonio Stradivari from 1734 – a precious instrument with a rich history and an incomparable sound quality. His violin is accompanied by a Jacob Eury bow.
Yamen Saadi embodies the essence of an artist who touches the hearts of listeners with his remarkable musical maturity, captivating expressiveness and extraordinary talent.
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