"The earlier I leave, the longer I'll have in my life to play the violin," said the 59-year-old. Arzewski has been with the orchestra for 17 years and would like to devote her to time to practicing and recording Bach's Partitas and Sonatas. "I've been thinking about this every day for the past year and a half, and in the past 10 days, I'd really come to a decision."

She did not consult with ASO music director Robert Spano on the decision. "I have the highest regard for Cecylia's artistry, and I am confident that her future path in this new arena will meet with tremendous success," he said. "I wish her well and thank her for her many years of service to the ASO."

Arzewski was born in Krakow, Poland and moved to Israel with her family in 1957. She studied with Odeon Partos at the Tel Aviv Conservatory, Ivan Galamian at The Juilliard School and Joseph Silverstein at New England Conservatory of Music. She was an award winner at the 1978 International Bach Festival and has appeared as soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Before joining the ASO in 1990, Arzewski was a member of the Boston Symphony and Cleveland Orchestras.

"Now I can do something else, play what I want when I want and with whom [I want]," she said. "When I wake up in the morning, I feel so free."