Kenneth Radnofsky

Kenneth Radnofsky
saxophone

Kenneth Radnofsky has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras and ensembles throughout the world, including the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Kurt Masur, Dresden Staatskapelle, Boston Pops, the Taipei and Taiwan Symphonies, New World Symphony, BBC Concert Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony, Marlboro Festival, Portland String Quartet, Moscow Autumn, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project with Gil Rose. Mr. Radnofsky made his Carnegie Hall debut with the New York premiere of Gunther Schuller's Concerto for Alto Saxophone with the National Orchestral Association. The world premiere of this work featured Mr. Radnofsky with the Pittsburgh Symphony; both of the highly acclaimed performances were conducted by the composer. David Amram's concerto, Ode to Lord Buckley, is dedicated to Mr. Radnofsky, who premiered the work with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, under Bruce Hangen's direction. He has also performed on numerous occasions for the Boston Symphony Orchestra over the last thirty years.

Other composers commissioned by Mr. Radnofsky include Michael Gandolfi, Larry Bell, Donald Martino, Milton Babbitt, Ezra Sims, Roger Bourland, Michael Horvit, and John McDonald. His commission of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison's San Antonio Sonata led to the innovative 1995 premiere by forty-three saxophonists in different locations around the globe in an effort founded and organized by Mr. Radnofsky, entitled World-Wide Concurrent Premieres, Inc. (WWCP). Mr. Radnofsky and BMOP also gave the world premiere of Betty Olivero's Saxophone Concerto Kri'ot, commissioned by Harvard University Judaica Division, in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary.

Current solo CD releases include Debussy Rhapsody with the New York Philharmonic (Teldec), Radnofsky.com (Boston Records), Fascinatin' Rhythms (Boston Records), Donald Martino's Concerto (New World Records), Michael Colgrass's Dream Dancer (Mode), and Elliott Schwartz's Mehitabel's Serenade (Albany-Troy). In 1991 he was the featured soloist with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, performing Franz Waxman's A Place in the Sun, under John Mauceri's direction (Philips).

Kenneth Radnofsky's principal teachers were Joseph Allard, Jeffrey Lerner, David Salge, Steven Hoyle, Terry Anderson, and Duncan Hale. He is currently teaching at Boston's three conservatories—The Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music—as well as Boston University. He is a Buffet Artist and performs on 400 Series Buffet gold plated alto and tenor saxophones.

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Performances

Israel at 60: Six Decades of Innovative Music
Sanders Theater | November 2, 2008
Concert Details
Boston ConNECtion
Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory | January 20, 2007
Concert Details

News and Press

[Concert Review] BMOP celebrates Israel at 60
The Boston Modern Orchestra Project performed alongside guest artist Kenneth Radnofsky to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence at Sanders Theatre on Sunday evening. The concert, “Israel at 60: Six Decades of Innovative Music,” marked the world premiere of Israeli composer Betty Olivero’s composition Kri’ot, the first piece of Israeli classical music to join a solo saxophone—played by Radnofsky—and a string quartet. Oliveros’s premiere received a five-minute standing ovation from the audience.
The Harvard Crimson Full review
[Concert Review] A Boston connection with style
Now in its 10th season, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project is a vibrant presence on the city’s new music scene, a group with omnivorous musical appetites and impressive collective chops. Its calendar this season is crowded with contemporary music, from the avant-garde of France to the avant-garde of New Jersey. But once a year, BMOP tunes its questing ears to the music produced specifically by local composers, or at least those with local ties. The group’s annual “Boston Connection” program took place Saturday night in Jordan Hall.
The Boston Globe Full review
[Press Release] BMOP announces 10th anniversary season
BMOP announces that its 10th anniversary season will open on November 3, 2006 at Jordan Hall. For 10 years BMOP has been Boston's only orchestra dedicated exclusively to performing and recording new music. Led by founding Artistic Director Gil Rose, BMOP is considered to be the premier orchestra for new music in the country.
Full release

 

Listening to Olivero's music is like swimming in an ocean and when you pick up your head you can see the traditions she is weaving into her music.

— The Harvard Crimson Full review