Cellist Alexander Hersh Wins the 2022 Pro Musicis International Award

American cellist Alexander Hersh joins a number of prominent past recipients, including KimKashkashian, Joseph Lin, and Yura Lee.

At the Pro Musicis event, Hersh performed Debussy’s Cello Sonata, Sollima’s Lamentatio, and Paul Wiancko’s Microsuite — the latter of which was commissioned by Pro Musicis. As part of his prize, Hersh will receive a debut recital in Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall on November 30, 2022, where the Paul Wiancko work will once again be featured on the program.

Additionally, Hersh received the Father Eugène Merlet Community Service Award. The $4,000 grant will go towards a series of three interactive community concerts for disadvantaged communities in Chicago, with children and their parents being offered a free meal alongside the concert.

The jury for the Pro Musicis International Award was comprised of Gil Kalish (chair), Carter Brey, Tim Eddy, Joel Krosnick, Marcy Rosen, Carmit Zori, and Paul Wiancko.

Born and raised in Chicago, Alexander Hersh studied at the New England Conservatory with Laurence Lesser, Paul Katz, and Kim Kashkashian. He has appeared as a soloist with the Houston Symphony and the Boston Pops, and performed in the first cello edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2017.

Hersh is currently the co-artistic director of NEXUS Chamber Music, a chamber collective that focuses on highlighting new music as well as older, less well-known works in non-standard concert spaces. Each year, the group presents a two-week chamber music festival in Chicago during the month of August.