Albert Markov, Violin

Biography

Albert Markov immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1975 and made his sensational debut with the Houston Symphony in May, 1976, prompting a New York Times reviewer to write: "The audience roared approval, coming to its feet for three standing ovations, Mr. Markov wowed them with dazzling pyrotechnics."

Following performances with symphonies and solo appearances at Carnegie Hall in New York, Markov performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and played a great media acclaim in concert halls in Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston, Toronto, Montreal and other cities of North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. He appeared with such conductors as James Conlon, Neeme Jarvi, David Zinman, Andrew Litton, Lukas Foss, Sixten Ehrling, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Sergiu Comissiona, Sir Charles Groves and others.

After almost 20 years of absence from the Russian concert stage, Mr. Markov entered the music scene again in Moscow in May, 1994.

His recent works are the Violin Concertos, Formosa Suite for Violin and Orchestra (both recorded by Mr. Markov with the Russian National Orchestra on the Sunrise label) and the Symphony "Kinnor David" premiered in Moscow. Albert Markov is the only concert violinist of the 20th century who has created major compositions and which are performed internationally and are commercially recorded.

His recordings are on Sunrise, Melodia and Musical Heritage Society labels. His compositions, which have been published by G. Schirmer (USA) and Muzyka (Russia) are: Sonatas for Solo and Duo Violins, Three Rhapsodies, Caprices. 

Mr. Markov is the Music Director of the Rondo Chamber Orchestra appearing both as a soloist and conductor. Mr. Markov teaches at the Manhattan School of Music. Among his students are prize winners of the International Competitions and members of the leading orchestras. Mr. Markov's Violin Technique and Little Violinist (G. Schrimer, USA) are worldwide recognized violin methods.

Mr. Markov studied at Kharkov and Moscow conservatories under Lechinsky and Yankelevich. Winning the Gold Medal in the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, he was concertizing extensively.

Aram Khachaturian wrote: "Albert Markov's activities have had many facets . . . in all spheres of actions, he shows a remarkable talent. As a violinist, he is one of our best. As a teacher, he has trained excellent violinists. As a composer, he is remarkable in the originality of his compositions. In summary, Albert Markov is an outstanding musician."