YAIR KLESS (violin)

Born in Israel, Yair Kless began playing the violin at the early age. He graduated from Tel Aviv Music Academy, under the tutelage of Israel Amidan.

Following a recommendation from Nathan Milstein, Yair moved to Brussels to study with Prof. Andre Gertler in the Royal conservatory and Chapelle- Musicale Reine-Elizabeth, graduating with the highest distinction in both instrumental and chamber music.

Yair quickly became a well known soloist performer and chamber player. His vast repertoire ranges from Baroque to Modern, including premieres of works, some of which were written especially for or dedicated to him.

Yair was one of the founders and first violinist of the Sol-La-Re string quartet, recording among others, major works by Israeli composers. He was a member of the "Israeli Baroque Players" which toured extensively around the world, such as participating at the prestigious Salzburg Festival. Other ensembles and groups include the "Tel-Aviv piano quartet", USA based "New Art Trio", Modus Trio, Modus Ensemble and many international projects and festivals. He enjoys collaborating with his son Eyal, in Duo violin repertoire.​

Yair has performed the majority of sonata repertoire, collaborating with outstanding musical partners, such as Nadia Reisenberg, Pnina Salzman, Shoshana Rudiakov, Arie Vardi, Victor Derevianko, Frank Wibout, Victor Yampolski and Pascal Sigrist.​

Apart from chamber music activities, Yair holds a career as soloist, having more than 30 violin concertos in his repertoire.

As one of the most prominent teachers in the world today, many of Yair's students have reached successful solo and chamber careers, winning prizes in the competitions and holding key teaching and performing positions.

Current Positions​

1) Since 1971 Tel Aviv University, Israel
Prof. for violin, violin pedagogy, and chamber music, at Buchman Mehta School of Music
1989 – 1993 Director of the Rubin Academy, Buchman Mehta School of Music
1997 – 1995 Head of Strings, Rubin Academy, Buchman Mehta School of Music
Since 2009 Prof. Emeritus

2) Since 1995 Kunst Universtat Graz, Austria
Prof. in Violin – Konzertfach
Since 2009 Prof. Emeritus and Guest Prof.

​3) Since 2005 Royal Northern College of Music, England - Visiting guest Prof.
Since 2011 International Chair for violin

​Yair annually participates in many prestigious festivals, conducts master classes, and often invited to be a part of the jury panels of many international competitions.

Yair Kless sees great importance in educating and developing future violin teachers. He has initiated, created, and run for the last few decades a Tel Aviv University program that includes theoretical and practical classes, which focuses on fundamental principles of instrumental teaching.