Talia Schiff – Fairmount Strings

Talia Schiff

The recipient of the Edwin E. Stein Award for Excellence in Musical Studies, cellist Talia Schiff completed her undergraduate studies at Boston University under renowned cellist Leslie Parnas. As winner of the 1982 Austrian-American Society Mozarteum Scholarship Competition she was awarded a summer of study in Salzburg with legendary cellist Antonio Janigro. She later attended the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, earning her Master’s degree in the studios of concert cellists Stephen Kates and Yehuda Hanani. Ms. Schiff subsequently went on to become a founding member of the Castalia String Trio, semifinalists in the 1987 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition.

In 1989 Ms. Schiff continued to pursue her love of chamber music with the Tenor Clef Dwellers: a cello quartet, which she established with three colleagues. For the next decade she devoted much of her artistic energy to developing the performance and repertoire of the cello quartet ensemble. In Spring of 2001, a collection of music she had transcribed for the Tenor Clef Dwellers’ performances was published by Musicelli Publications.

At present Ms. Schiff’s chamber music pursuits focus on her work with Elysian Camerata, with whom she has performed since 2004. An ensemble made up of string quintet and piano, the Elysians regroup into various size and types of ensembles to perform a wide range of chamber music encompassing literature from the Baroque to contemporary. With them, Ms. Schiff performs regularly throughout the season, both locally and on tour.

Formerly the principal cellist of the Pottstown Symphony Orchestra and the Opera New Jersey Orchestra, Ms. Schiff is currently a member of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and can be heard in recital as part of the Schiff-Burgman Cello/Piano Duo. As a substitute cellist, she has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Philly Pops and the Philadelphia Opera Company. Her diverse activities include performing the solo cello part in the world premiere of the Ben Steinberg work “Psalm of Thanksgiving” in Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall.

Kind Words

Friday evening’s performance…by the members of the Fairmount String Quartet was splendid…the playing was expert to the point of perfection.

Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local

From more classical music to fun contemporary songs, Fairmount Strings knocked it out of the park.

Alison F., bride

We are so grateful that Fairmount Strings made our wedding day vision come to life. 

Jocelyn G., bride

The quartet was magnificent and so very professional. One guest said the setting and the quartet made the ceremony storybook!

Joanne F., Bride

Last night the audience told you so well what I am trying to put into words now. Thank you for an unbelievably beautiful concert!

Alice Nugent, Candlelight Concerts at Laurel Hill

The beautiful sound of your music will stay with me always. It was simply stunning and made our day feel like a fairy tale.

Julie & Tom B., Bride and Groom

Adding to their laurels — professionalism, intuition and timeliness, we look forward to many future musical endeavors with the Fairmount Chamber Ensemble.

Kevin O’Malia, Director of Music, First United Methodist Church of Germantown

I made a point of standing off to the side in the back of the church to listen. It was….well….perfection.

Chris C., Mother of the Bride

It is such a privilege to work with musicians of their caliber who are so genuinely committed to supporting the growth and development of our students.

Stephen Kushner, Director of Choral Music, Germantown Friends School

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your beautiful performance, which helped to make the vision and dream I had for my daughter’s wedding day come true.

Jeanne B., Mother of the Bride

They are wonderful musicians, easy to work with, and deliver performances of consistently high quality.

Clair Rozier, Director of Music, St. David’s Episcopal Church

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