Violinist Gil Shaham entered the international spotlight in the 1990s as one of several young solo violinists vying for the attention of audiences the world over. Aided by positive publicity and an enviable recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, Shaham proved, as a recitalist and through guest appearances with major orchestras, that he was an artist beyond the need for public relations buildup -- an artist whose musical gifts would assure him an ongoing presence among the world's leading string players. Shaham founded the Canary Classics label in 2004 and has since issued most of his recordings under that label. He was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in 2008, and named Instrumentalist of the Year in 2012 by Musical America. In 2022, he was backed by Nicholas McGegan and the SWR Symphonieorchester in a recording of works for violin and orchestra by Mozart.