Sir Julian Milkis: A Life in Sound, A Legacy in Motion
- Legend Magazine
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
In the world of classical and jazz clarinet, few names resonate with the same clarity and conviction as Sir Julian Milkis. A virtuoso performer, cultural ambassador, and the only student of the legendary Benny Goodman, Milkis has carved a singular path through the global music landscape—bridging genres, generations, and geographies with every breath of his instrument.
Born in Odessa to a concertmaster father and pianist mother, Milkis was immersed in music from infancy. “My parents were musicians, so music wasn’t just something we did—it was the air we breathed,” he shares. “I grew up surrounded by its beauty and discipline. It shaped how I see the world.”
After emigrating to North America, his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard culminated in a debut at Carnegie Hall. His career took flight with a debut at Carnegie Hall and mentorship under Goodman, who transformed his sound and philosophy. “Benny taught me not to be afraid—to break borders, to be myself. That changed everything.”
A biography page describes Milkis as “a true ‘cross‑over artist’ and Benny Goodman’s only student.”
“A clarinetist of beautiful sustaining sound and great virtuosity.” - Hamburg Abendblatt ( Germany)
Milkis offers something timeless—sound that lingers, that resonates beyond the moment.
“Spectacular virtuosity… penetrating tone and astonishing breath control. Milkis brings an improvisatory flair even to strictly notated works, a reflection of his jazz sensibility.” - Palm Beach ArtsPaper (USA)
A Global Voice
Milkis’s performances have graced the world’s most prestigious stages: Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Salle Pleyel in Paris and the National Concert Hall in Taipei. He’s collaborated with icons like Giya Kancheli, Nikoloz Rachveli, Dick Hyman, and Mieczysław Weinberg, and recorded for labels including Warner Classics, Brilliant Classics, etc.
His sound has been described as an emotional luxury—art that does not shout, but lingers, leaving a lasting imprint.
“The ideal interpreter—rich in tone, with a marvelous sense of occasion.” - Classical Net (UK)
But for Milkis, music is more than performance—it’s a philosophy. “Music is a way of living and understanding the world,” he says. “It’s not just sound. It’s a bridge between people, cultures, and histories. Each concert, whether in a grand hall or a small venue, is a chance to tell a story and touch someone’s heart.”
“Performed beautifully… lush, languorous, and nuanced.” - DC Theater Arts (USA):
Clarinetist & Cultural Ambassador
Legend Magazine Exclusive: A Conversation with Sir Julian Milkis Clarinetist & Cultural Ambassador
When asked what inspired his career, Sir Julian Milkis speaks with quiet conviction: “Being born into a family of musicians, I didn’t choose music—it chose me.” Raised in a household where artistry was woven into daily life, Milkis absorbed both the beauty and the discipline of music from an early age. His journey—from Odessa to Juilliard, from intimate venues to the world’s grandest concert halls—has shaped not only his sound but his soul.
“Music reflects life’s complexity—its sorrow, joy, and mystery,” he shares. “It helps us listen, not just hear.” For Milkis, music is more than performance—it’s a way of living, a lens through which to understand the world. Each concert, whether in Paris or Taipei, becomes a bridge between cultures, a story told in breath and tone.
At the heart of his work are values that transcend technique: “Honesty, respect, and excellence. These aren’t just artistic values—they’re human values.” His commitment to inspiring the next generation and championing living composers ensures that the art he loves remains vibrant, relevant, and alive.
Legacy and Vision
As Artistic Director of The Kancheli Project, Milkis continues to champion contemporary voices and deepen the emotional resonance of classical music.
The New Yorker on Kancheli: “He was a poet of the inner landscape. Kancheli’s music speaks to those who are willing to listen not with their ears, but with their hearts.”
Milkis’s legacy is not just in the notes he plays, but in the bridges he builds—between past and future, East and West, tradition and innovation.
Arvo Pärt, composer (in a letter to Kancheli): “Your music breathes with silence. It is a rare art—not to force the listener, but to invite them into stillness.”
Beyond honoring Kancheli, Milkis is also creating new dialogues with contemporary composers, visual artists, and film and theater projects—ensuring his legacy is not only preserved but constantly evolving.
“Music has no borders — it speaks directly to the human heart. Whether it’s a scene in a film, animation, a moment in a commercial, or the atmosphere of a game, an art installation or museum, medical facilities… everywhere the right sound can transform perception into memory.”
“After a Kancheli concert, I couldn’t speak. It felt as though he had unsealed my fear and transformed it into light.”
Kancheli’s music is what people turn to in life’s most profound moments. It doesn’t just accompany emotion—it becomes it: pain, light, and forgiveness in one. That is why it speaks so directly to the soul and leaves a timeless imprint.