Tito Muñoz, conductor
Steven Moeckel, violin

About Steven Moeckel

Violinist Steven Moeckel, the beloved former concertmaster of The Phoenix Symphony, returns to Symphony Hall as soloist for Mozart’s graceful and ornate third violin concerto with its lively, elegant dances. Musical giants from the classical era form this program, brimming with great and powerful music. The concert features the Leonore Overture from Beethoven’s one and only opera, Fidelio. The concert ends with one of the most recognizable works of the symphonic canon, Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.

As concerto soloist, concertmaster, and recitalist, violinist Steven Moeckel has engaged audiences and critics worldwide with his effortless virtuosity, vivid characterization and uncanny ability to capture the very essence of a work. A seasoned performer since childhood, Moeckel first appeared as concerto soloist at the age of 8. Since then, he has continued to solo with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, interrupted only by a two year period as Principal Soprano Soloist of the renowned Vienna Boys Choir.

Moeckel’s concerto repertoire encompasses everything from the standard classical and romantic masterpieces to the visceral virtuosity of the Shostakovich Concerto and Corigliano’s Red Violin. Invited to China under the auspices of the newly formed Ling Tung Foundation, he was the first Western violinist to perform the beloved violin concerto, The Butterfly Lovers, with a Chinese orchestra. His special affinity for the British repertoire has most recently led to performances of the Elgar, Britten, and Walton Concertos.

Steven Moeckel has performed as chamber musician and recitalist with Leon Fleisher and Menachem Pressler at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival and frequently appears in concert with William Wolfram. Notable performances include recitals at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, the Colorado College Music Festival and the Sunriver Music Festival. With his long time partner pianist Paula Fan, Moeckel has toured Europe and the Americas, and performed the complete cycle of the ten Beethoven Sonatas three times to critical acclaim. Together they have recorded three albums. His most recent album with Indiana University pianist, Joanna Goldstein, celebrates the works of women composers during the time of Suffrage.

As a communicator, Moeckel’s ability to involve audiences in an astounding range of repertoire distinguishes him as a musician of rare versatility. A Laureate of the venera- ble Sibelius Competition, his performances earned recognition in the Helsinki press for his ability to probe and understand the mind of a composer. At home in myriad styles, with pianist Paula Fan he performed a 12 hour marathon charity concert featuring mas- terworks of the classical literature interspersed with intermezzi featuring country, tango and jazz.

Steven Moeckel is equally at home speaking about music. Since his first appointment as Co-Concertmaster of Germany’s Ulm Philharmonic at the age of 19, he has been in- volved in outreach and educational events for orchestras and festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. He has served as a frequent coach for the New World Symphony in Miami and in 2019 was invited to participate in the National Alliance for Audition Support, a group that trains minority classical musicians in audition preparation in conjunction with the Sphinx Organization, the New World Symphony and The league of American Orches- tras. He has served as orchestra coach and guest lecturer at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, and has appeared as a a guest on the podcast series, ‘Behind the Screen,’ hosted by JT Kane and Matt Corey.

In 2020 Steven was awarded a violin professorship at Northern Arizona University. He is currently Concertmaster of The Phoenix Symphony, and in 2019 won the Concertmaster position of the prestigious Santa Fe Opera. He performs on a violin crafted c. 1840 by the celebrated French maker, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.

Note: Programs, dates, times, and prices are subject to change.

PLEASE NOTE: NEW Bag Size Restrictions at Symphony Hall
The Phoenix Convention Center and Venues are implementing a restricted bag size policy at Symphony Hall beginning January 1, 2023. No bags larger than clutch size (4.5” x 6.5”) will be permitted. Medical and diaper bags will be allowed.