Oswald Lehnert Biography (Official)

Internationally acclaimed violinist Oswald Lehnert was awarded professor emeritus from the University of Colorado after a 40 year career as professor at the Universities College of Music. In addition to his teaching duties, he has been Conductor and Music Director of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Boulder Chamber Orchestra for 24 Seasons. Under Maestro Lehnert’s baton, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra grew into a nationally recognized orchestra. The orchestra has bestowed the title of Conductor Emeritus-Laureate to Lehnert.Mr. Lehnert’s prizes in international competitions include the 1960 Murat Award, and the Certificate of Honor at the 1962 Tchaikovsky Competition. He is the founding member of the Von Der Mehden String Quartet, the Hillingdon String Quartet, and the famed Pablo Casals Trio, a title bestowed upon the trio by Pablo Casals himself.Mr Lehnert studied at the Julliard School of Music with Ivan Galamian, at New York’s Meadowmount School of Music with Joseph Gingold, and in Switzerland with Joseph Szigeti. He has performed with Rudolf Serkin’s ‘Marlboro Festival,’ Leonard Bernstein’s ‘French-American Festival,’ with the ‘Pablo Casals Festival’ in Puerto Rico, and with Alexander Schneider conducting the English Chamber Orchestra at the ‘Mozart Festival’ in Carnegie Hall, New York City, and at the Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Mr. Lehnert made his debut at the age of 14 with the Chicago Symphony. He has toured Europe, Southeast Asia and the United States as a member of the Lehnert Solo/Duo with his wife, pianist Doris Pridonoff Lehnert. He is currently touring with the Lehnert Chamber Players as well as appearing in solo venues.