Maxim Vengerov

Maksim Aleksandrovitsj Vengerov (Russian: Максим Александрович Венгеров; Novosibirsk, 20 August 1974) is a Russian violinist.

Maksim is the son of Aleksandr and Larisa Vengerov. Both his parents were musicians. His mother was a singer and director of an orphanage. His father was principal oboist of the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of Novosibirsk. Maksim received his first violin lessons at the age of 5 from Galina Toertsjaninova. When he was 7 years old, he went to live with his grandparents in Moscow to study violin at the specialized Music School of the Tsjaikovski Conservatory.

When Maksim was 10 years old, his grandfather became ill and he returned to Novosibirsk, where he continued his studies with Zakhar Bron. He won the Junior Wieniawski violin competition. At the age of 11, he performed the opening concert at the eighth Tsjaikovskiconcours. When Bron left Russia in 1987 to teach at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, Vengerov followed him, together with his mother. When Bron later went to Lübeck to establish a school there, Vengerov went with him.

In 1990, Vengerov emigrated with his family to Israel, where his father continued his profession as orchestra oboist. Vengerov became an Israeli citizen and had to serve briefly in the military.