Maxim Vengerov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maxim Vengerov
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| Background information | |
| Native name |
Максим Александрович Венгеров
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| Birth name | Maxim Alexandrovich Vengerov |
| Born | 20 August 1974 Novosibirsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
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| Instruments | Violin, viola |
| Years active | 1984–present |
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| Associated acts | Zakhar Bron |
Maxim Vengerov (born 20 August 1974) is a famous Israeli violin player, viola player, and conductor. He was born in the Soviet Union. Many people, including Classic FM, call him one of the best violinists in the world.
Maxim started playing music very young. He sang in his mother's choir when he was three. He began violin lessons at age five. When he was ten, he won a big competition for young violin players. This helped start his amazing career.
He later moved to Israel with his family. There, he continued to study music. Maxim has also taught music and led orchestras. He even started a music school in Israel called "Musicians of Tomorrow." He has won many important awards, like a Grammy. Maxim plays a very special violin made in 1727.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Maxim Vengerov was born in Novosibirsk, which was part of the Soviet Union. He was the only child of Aleksandr and Larisa Borisovna. His mother directed a children's choir. Maxim started singing in her choir when he was just three years old.
He began learning the violin at age five. His first teacher was Galina Turchaninova. She was very strict. At first, lessons were hard. Maxim once refused to play for five lessons in a row! His teacher almost stopped teaching him.
But Maxim had been practicing on his own. He played 17 songs from memory without stopping. His teacher was very impressed. She said, "A violinist like Maxim is born only once in a hundred years."
When he was ten, Maxim won the 1984 International Karol Lipiński and Henryk Wieniawski Young Violin Player Competition. This was held in Lublin, Poland. This win was a big step for his career. He also made his first recordings around this time.
For the next five years, Maxim studied with a teacher named Zakhar Bron. Maxim followed Bron when he moved to teach in London and then in Germany. In 1990, Maxim won another important contest, the International Carl Flesch Competition. This led to a recording contract and helped him become famous worldwide.
Becoming a Professional Musician
Maxim Vengerov moved to Israel with his family in 1990. He was 16 years old at the time. He continued his music studies at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Maxim feels a strong connection to Israel. He has said that his "heart and soul belong to Israel."
He often visits Israel during difficult times. He feels like a "soldier" using his violin and bow to help. In 2006, he started a music school in northern Israel. It is called "Musicians of Tomorrow."
In 1997, Maxim became the first classical musician to be a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. He performed for children in countries like Uganda and Kosovo. A TV show called Playing by Heart was made about him. It showed him meeting young musicians.
Maxim once hurt his shoulder. While he was recovering, he became very interested in conducting music. He studied conducting and graduated in 2014. He has also led the Menuhin Festival Gstaad Orchestra.
Maxim is also a professor and teacher. He teaches violin at the Royal College of Music in London. He also helps judge many music competitions. He has helped young musicians grow their talents.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Maxim Vengerov has received many important awards and honors for his musical talent.
Awards
- 1984: Won the International Karol Lipiński and Henryk Wieniawski Young Violin Player Competition.
- 1990: Won the International Carl Flesch Competition in London.
- 1994, 1995: Received two Gramophone Classical Music Awards.
- 1995, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2004: Won five Edison Classical Music Awards.
- 1997, 2003: Received two Echo Music Prizes.
- 2003: Won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with orchestra).
- 2004: Received a Classic Brit Award.
- 2007: Won the World Economic Forum Crystal Award. This award is for artists who inspire positive change.
Honors
- He has been recognized by the Royal Academy of Music.
- He holds an Honorary Visiting Fellowship at Trinity College, Oxford.
Special Orders
- He has received honors from Romania and Saarland.
- 2019: He was made a Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit (Monaco).
His Special Violin
Maxim Vengerov plays a very old and famous violin. It is a 1727 "ex-Kreutzer" Stradivarius violin. This violin was made by Antonio Stradivari, a famous violin maker. It was once owned by Rodolphe Kreutzer. Beethoven's 9th Violin Sonata was written for Kreutzer.
Maxim bought this special violin in 1998. It was bought with help from a Japanese patroness, Countess Yoko Nagae Ceschina.
Family Life
In 2011, Maxim Vengerov married Olga Gringolts. She is an art historian. They have two daughters and one son. The family lives in Monaco.
Images for kids
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Maxim Vengerov performing.
See also
In Spanish: Maksim Venguérov para niños
