Maxim Vengerov

Biography

Maxim Vengerov is a Russian violinist and Classic FM’s Artist in Residence since 2020. He is universally hailed as one of the world's finest violinists, if not the greatest living string player in the world today.

Born into a Jewish family with musical tradition Vengerov began learning the violin from the age of 5.

At the age of 10 he went abroad for the first time to Poland and won first place in the Young Violin Player competition.

He began teaching at the Royal Academy of Music in 1987.

Vengerov proved his extraordinary talent in 1990 when he won the International Carl Flesch competition and sparked the interest of the major record labels.

In 1997 he became UNICEF’s Envoy for Music and has met and performed in Uganda, Thailand and Kosovo to name but a few.

Throughout his career he has been playing various Stradivari instruments, currently the 1727 ex-Kreutzer.

He took a two year course in the Baroque violin and repertoire of the epoch.

After a substantial break from performing, 2012 saw his comeback concert at London's Wigmore Hall – and he remains one of the most in-demand soloists in all of classical music.

Did you know?

Vengerov does not restrict himself to violin alone; the viola, jazz improvisation, dance and conducting have caught his attention.

Maxim Vengerov became Classic FM’s first ever solo Artist in Residence in January 2020 – the year he celebrated his 40th year having been on stage.