The Strings' Annual Benefit concert in the intimate and acoustically perfect Bennett-Gordon Hall at Ravinia is the highlight of the season.

After his debut with the Strings last season in a magnificent performance of the Concerto for Cello No. 2 by VICTOR HERBERT, Alex was invited back to perform the iconic Dvorak Cello Concerto inspired by the Herbert. Having given his Carnegie Hall debut recital in 2022, Alex has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and creative talents of his generation. He frequently appears as soloist with major orchestras, including the Houston Symphony and Boston POPS, and has received top prices at competitions worldwide including the: 2022 Pro Musica International Award, Astral Artists National Auditions, Salon de Virtuosi Career grant, New York International Artists Association Competition, and the Schadt competition.

A passionate chamber musician, Hersh has performed on tour with Musicians from Marlboro and appeared at music festivals worldwide including Marlboro, Caramoor, Chamber Music Northwest, Ravinia, Music@Menlo, I-M-S Prussia Cove, Manchester, Pertman Music Program, Amsterdam Cello Biennale, Kneisel Hall, and Lucerne. He serves as co-Artistic Director of NEXUS Chamber Music, an artist driven collective of musicians whose mission is to make cassical music culturally relevant through live concerts and multimedia content.

Raised in Chicago, Alexander Hersh began playing the cello at the age of 5. He received his B.M. and M.M. from New England Conservatory where he graduated with academic honors. Later he was a recipient of the Frank Huntington Beebe fund for studies in Berlin where he studied at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule for Musik Berlin. His previous teachers have included Laurence Lesser, Hans Jergen Jensen, Kirn Kashkashian, Nicolas Altstaedt, and Paul Katz. He plays a G.8. Rogeri cello, courtesy of Guarneri Hall NFP and Damton & Hersh Fine Violins.

February 4, 2024
Dvorak x 2
Bennett-Gordon Hall
Gala Concert at Ravinia

Annual Benefit
3 pm – $40
General Admission

For tickets, call 847.831.3622

ANTONIN DVORAK
Concerto for Cello in B Minor, Op. 104
Alexander Hersh, Cello

ANTONIN DVORAK
Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 86