Pinchas Zukerman is recognized the world over for his exceptional artistic standards and musical genius. With three decades of critical acclaim, he is equally revered as a violinist, violist, conductor, pedagogue, chamber musician, and exponent of contemporary music. Among his numerous achievements, Mr. Zukerman’s prolific discography contains over 100 titles, and has earned him 21 Grammy nominations and 2 awards. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with prominent artists and young talent alike for more than 20 years. Mr. Zukerman’s celebrated conducting career began in 1970 with the English Chamber Orchestra and he has since conducted many of the world’s leading orchestras. This fall marks the start of his fourth season as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada. Mr. Zukerman is the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Excellence in Classical Music, named for the man who helped bring him to America from Israel in 1962 and who was an Americans for the Arts National Arts Award recipient in 1998.