Murray Perahia

Principal Guest Conductor of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, with whom he toured as conductor and pianist throughout the United States, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. Educated at the Mannes College of Music, where he studied conducting and composition, he has been recognized by many awards, including two Grammys. In 1972 he was the first American to win the Leeds International Piano Competition, and in 1973 he gave his first concert at the Aldeburgh Festival in the UK, where he worked closely with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, accompanying the latter in many lieder recitals. He was co-artistic director of the Festival from 1981 to 1989. He has a wide and varied repertory and discography, including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms. Since 2009, he has served as President of the Jerusalem Music Centre.