Kam noted that “increased pressures,” such as the pandemic, wars, and travel disruption led to his decision to resign

 

The violist Ori Kam, who has been a member of the Jerusalem Quartet for the past fifteen years, has announced that he will depart from the group.

In the 2025/26 season, the quartet will be joined by violists Mathis Rochat (for North American tours) and Alexander Gordon (for European and Israeli concerts), and Kam’s successor will be announced in due course.

In his statement, Kam noted that his decision to step down was influenced by a number of “increased pressures,” including the pandemic, wars, travel disruptions, and a rapidly changing musical landscape. He added that these pressures had “widened existing fissures” among himself and his colleagues, and said that these had made it harder “to sustain a common musical and professional vision.”

Kam also stated that a combination of changes in his personal life and the arrival of new professional opportunities had made it clear to him that the time had come to step aside.

After making his debut at the age of 16 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Zubin Mehta, Kam has appeared solo with almost every orchestra in Israel, as well as the National Symphony (Washington D.C.), the New Jersey Symphony, the Duesseldorfer Symphoniker, the Kioi Symphonietta (Tokyo), the Bronxville Symphony, the Manhattan Philharmonia, and Sinfonia Varsovia.

​Alongside his work with the Jerusalem Quartet, he is the founder of the Israel Chamber Music Society and was the violist of the Naumburg award-winning Whitman String Quartet. Kam has appeared in chamber ensembles with artists including Isaac Stern, Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, Andras Schiff, Itzhak Perlman, and Pinchas Zukerman.

“From a very young age, playing string quartets was my greatest wish,” Kam said. “To have the chance to do this professionally, at the highest level imaginable, has been nothing short of a dream come true. I will always remain deeply grateful for this privilege.”

“I wish to express my gratitude to my three colleagues, who invited me to join the Quartet and from whom I have learned so much. Their deep commitment to the music and to the audience has always been the heart of this ensemble.”

“I know that the Jerusalem Quartet will continue to bring the great string quartet repertoire to life for audiences worldwide, upholding the tradition we love and revere. From now on, I will have the privilege of experiencing this from the other side of the stage.”

“After fifteen remarkable years of music-making and a shared journey, we bid farewell to our violist, Ori Kam, who is stepping away from the quartet,” the ensemble wrote in a statement. “As Ori embarks on new paths, we wish him the very best of luck and continued success.”