Alexander Rees was born in Moscow, Russia.  He was educated at the Gnesin Institute (now called the Russian Academy of Music), one of the world’s most prominent music conservatories, where he received his Doctorate degree and embarked on a music career.  Dr. Rees became a professor of viola and chamber music at the same institute, where he trained hundreds of students who have become well-known professors in music conservatories, solo artists, and performers in major orchestras all over the world.  Dr. Rees performed as a soloist, conductor, and chamber musician.  He played with prestigious chamber groups, such as the Borodin String Quartet, Svyatoslav Richter chamber ensemble, Madrigal Baroque Ensemble, and many others.  He toured extensively in the former Soviet Union and Europe.

In 1993 Dr. Rees immigrated to America and settled in New York City.  He has continued his music career as a solo and chamber musician as well as an orchestra player with various orchestras – the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Luke’s Orchestra, and others, on major stages such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.  He teaches viola and chamber music at Fordham University, Thurnauer School of Music and in his own private studio.

Alexander Rees made his first forays into pictorial art ( like his second professional occupation ) during his teenage years. Since that time, he has been producing sketches and paintings, but he chose to keep them hidden from the public and they existed only in a few private collections.  After the publication of his book Moscow-New York-Moscow, at the end of 2003, Dr. Rees received several offerings to exhibit his paintings and decided to open his works to the public for viewing and sale. He has participated in many personal and group exhibitions sins then, including The Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City, Pleiades Gallery of Contemporery Art in Celsea, Salomon Art Gallery in Tribeca ( New York ) and others. Robert Harris Rothchild, the famos american art critic and collector wrote: ” Alexander’s works are popular because they celebrate the beauty of the city in all seasons of the year. His vibrant brushwork, his spatially open and airy compositions, and his beautiful blending and mixing of the colors that compose his forms all are essential elements that build his pictures. His paintings create wonderful scenic, atmospheric moods and feeling”. His works can be found in private collections in Austria, England, Holland, USA, Russia and Israel. In 2008 he has been accepted a member of professional artist union of Russia. Alexander Rees is a member of “Pleiades” Gallery of Contemporary Art in Chelsea (NY City).

Cont. Info:  Alexander Rees. 130 Gale Pl., Riverdale NY, 10463.  Ph. 646 3798223. E-mail: violarees1@gmail.com