Maxim Vengerov - Virtuoso Violinist (Shadow Entry)
Created | Updated Oct 10, 2006
Edited guide entry now here A14117050. However I will update this version from time to time if new and relevant information is available. See the section at the foot of this entry.
PictureMaxim Vengerov, born in August 1974, is now recognised as one of the world’s leading violinists, and accorded by many as today’s greatest living violinist. He began to play the violin aged only four, in his home town of Novosibirsk in Western Siberia, and made fast progress. He was taught initially by Galina Turtschaninova and later studied with the famous violin pedagogue, Zakhar Bron. At the age of five he played his first recital, and by seven his first concert performance playing the Bériot Concerto No 9 with the Novosibirsk Symphony Orchestra.
Much lauded in his native Russia as a prodigy, he made his Western breakthrough in 1990 when he won the Carl Flesch violin competition in London. Since then his career has included performances in all continents, with all the major orchestras and with many leading chamber musicians.
Repertoire
Recordings are many and include award winning interpretations of the Shostakovich and Britten violin concerti. His recent recording of the Beethoven violin concerto, with the London Symphony Orchestra and Mstislav Rostropovich, split the critics into two camps due to the unusual tempo chosen. He has performed Bach and Corelli on the Baroque violin, most famously on tour with Trevor Pinnock - a leading harpsichordist - in 2000; and in 2002 undertook a solo tour playing unaccompanied sonatas by Ysaye, Paganini and Bach.
Instruments
Maxim’s violin of choice is a Stradivarius. After playing 3 loaned Strads in his career to date he now owns a 1727 Stradivarius once owned by Rudolph Kreutzer (after whom Beethoven famously named a violin sonata). He also plays viola occasionally, and has been known to improvise rock on his electric 5-string fiddle.
What makes Maxim different
After first surprising the Hanover audience in 2005 with his improvised rock cadenza in the premiere of the Yusupov concerto, he completely stunned them as he finished the performance by dancing the tango. He has also been appointed as a UNICEF special envoy and works with them on projects for disadvantaged children throughout the world. He teaches violin, and after an appointment at the Musikhochschule in Saarbrucken, he began an appointment as visiting professor in violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2005. He gives innovative masterclasses where he builds on imagery and emotion, rather then technique, to bring out the musicality. He has conducted orchestras in symphonic works as well as leading from the violin in some concertos such as Beethoven and Mozart. And, of course, he is an amazing musician with a charismatic stage presence.
How to hear him perform
Maxim performs a punishing concert schedule worldwide, and the chances are he will be playing in a concert somewhere within travelling distance during the year. He tends to perform in Europe mostly but makes almost annual tours to North America and the Far East. The rest of the world may have to wait a while longer. In London he can quite regularly be heard at the Barbican and often performs at the Radio 3 Proms festival. Book early though as concerts generally sell out well in advance.
You can of course listen to him in the comfort of your own home without the hassle of travel, if you are content with CDs and radio as the next best thing. Some live concerts are broadcast on the radio and can be heard on line, such as BBC Radio 3
More detail
For more information an internet search will find many sites
such as this fansite which has up to date concert schedules, full CD listing, and links to audio and video clips.
New Information
Any relevant information about Maxim arising after the publication of the Edited Guide version on 9th October 2006 will appear in this section.
