violin (Canada)

The Toronto Star refers to violinist Erika Raum as one of "Canada's most talented young string players" and based on reviews of her recent performances, Ms. Raum certainly lives up to the expectation. With her dramatic and powerful interpretations of even the most difficult concerti and repertoire, she takes her place amongst the most talented young musicians in this country. Playing professionally since the age of 12, Ms. Raum quickly rose through the ranks by taking first place at the 1992 Joseph Szigeti International Violin Competition in Budapest as well as the award for best interpretation of a Mozart concerto. She has returned on many occasions to perform in Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Germany, and France, where she was invited three consecutive summers to the Festival de l'Abbaye de l'Epau (Le Mans).

She has appeared as guest artist with such orchestras as the Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Szombathely Symphony Orchestra, the Austro-Hungarian Orchestra, and the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra. A distinguished musician abroad, Ms. Raum also performs frequently throughout her homeland of Canada with orchestral appearances in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, and Edmonton. Her performances continue to awe critics and colleagues alike, drawing praise from maestro Boris Brott who characterised her as "truly a young Canadian discovery." Both a recitalist and chamber musician, some of her recent highlights include appearances at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Festival of the Sound, Vancouver Chamber Music Festival, the Glenn Gould Studio, and Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts. Abroad, she has performed at the Budapest Spring Festival, Szombathely Festival in Hungary, Carnegie Hall, as well as the Caramoor and Prussia Cove festivals.

As a recording artist, Erika joins internationally-renowned pianist Anton Kuerti in releasing the world premiere recording of Carl Czerny's piano and violin works. Recorded on this country's most active label, Musica Viva of CBC Records, this premiere recording highlights the masterfully composed, powerfully expressive works by the precocious composer during his teen years. Erika is scheduled to release a second recording later this season. In 1993, composer Elizabeth Raum, Erika's mother, wrote her a violin concerto entitled Faces of Woman. The work was commissioned by the Regina Symphony Orchestra and broadcast nationally by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Erika's sister, Jessica Raum, produced and directed the award-winning documentary Like Mother, Like Daughter, which recorded the event. Erika, a native of Saskatchewan, is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she studied with professor Lorand Fenyves and was awarded the prestigious Eaton Scholarship upon her graduation. She is also a recipient of The Canada Council for the Arts - Career Development Grant. Ms. Raum is currently on the faculty of the Glenn Gould Professional School at The Royal Conservatory of Music. During the summer season, she serves on the faculty of The Banff Centre.