Maxim Vengerov
Conductor, Violin · 1974– · Russia
Russian-born violinist with a rich, singing tone
In short
Maxim Vengerov is a violinist born in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1974, now based in Western Europe and Israel. He has been a leading soloist since his teens and has also taken up conducting. He plays Brahms's Violin Concerto with the New York Philharmonic in January 2027.
What to listen for
Vengerov is known for a large, warm tone and strong dramatic contrast. In the Brahms concerto, listen for the long, singing second-movement tune, which the oboe starts before the violin takes over, and for the lively, dance-like finale. He is also a committed teacher and has played both Romantic favorites and newer works.
Life
Vengerov studied with Galina Turchaninova and then Zakhar Bron, and he won the Carl Flesch Competition in London in 1990 at age fifteen. He recorded widely for Teldec and EMI and later paused his playing for some years because of an injury before returning to the stage. He has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London and has led an international program of workshops.
Written by OrchestraFinder, reviewed October 2026.