Maxim Vengerov is considered to be one of the greatest violinists of all time. His radiant interpretations, the intensity of his sound, the great dramatic quality of his renditions and the exuberant musicality of his playing are rooted in the great tradition of the Russian violin school.
In the course of his international career, Vengerov has played in the most important halls of the world. Despite his fame, Vengerov is not an artist who rests on his laurels. Instead, he always thinks outside the boundaries of Classical-Romantic repertoire, explores the possibilities of his instrument in search of new inspirations and involves himself in projects embracing genres such as jazz and rock.
An encounter with harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock in Salzburg led Vengerov to study the baroque violin, to play early music in a historically informed way. Vengerov worked with superstars such as Yehudi Menuhin and Carlo-Maria Giulini. Encouraged by his mentors Mstislaw Rostropovich and Daniel Barenboim, Vengerov took lessons with conductor Vag Papian and has been conducting himself since 2007.
Both as a soloist and conductor, Vengerov has performed with such distinguished orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre and the symphony orchestras of Chicago, Montreal and Toronto.
Vengerov is also passionately committed to supporting young talents, which he teaches at major music schools worldwide. Born in Novosibirsk, he began his studies at age 5 with the famous teacher Galina Tuchaninova in Moscow. Later he studied with Zakhar Bron and won the first prize in the Karol Lipiński and Henryk Wieniawski Young Violin Player Competition at age 10. Currently one of the most sought-after violinists worldwide, Vengerov plays the ex-Kreutzer Stradivarius of 1727.
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
