Courses Offered at Redlands
- Applied Violin
- Experiencing Music
- String Instrumental Methods
- University Symphony Orchestra
- Chamber String Ensembles
Professional Background
Born in Czechoslovakia, Pavel Farkas joined the Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. Just five years later he became Concertmaster, the youngest member ever to hold such a position in a Czechoslovakian orchestra. During this time he was also a member of the Slovak National String Quartet, representing Czechoslovakia during numerous performances in Western Europe and Russia. From there, Farkas served as Concertmaster of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra of Japan, Dutch Broadcasting Orchestra and the Orqesta Nacional de Mexico. Other significant musical activities of Professor Farkas included having been a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a co-founder of the Pacific Symphony and serving as the concertmaster for the touring companies of both the Bolshoi and Joffrey Ballets. Apart from appearances in America, Farkas has been a soloist in Russia, Germany, Holland, Japan and China.
As a free-lance musician, he has recorded for Grammy winners Whitney Houston, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Cher, Barry White, John Williams, Maurice Jarre, Michelle Legrand, Lalo Schiffrin, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Earth Wind and Fire, Electric Light Orchestra and Police. In addition, his credits included recorded music for the movies Titanic, Ghost, Dances with Wolves and others.
Professor Farkas regularly visits his native country of Slovakia for appearances with the Slovakian Chamber Orchestra. He appeared as soloist in the Millennium Concert with the Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra (January 2000) and also recorded the 1958 Violin Concerto by renowned contemporary Slovak composer Alexander Moyzes.