World-famous violinists: top-tier virtuosos you should hear at least once.

Paganini caprice no. 1-24Ruggiero Ricci

Ruggiero Ricci Paganini caprice no. 1-24

Ruggiero Ricci was an American violinist born in 1918.

He made his debut at the age of 10 and is famous for being the first to record all 24 of Paganini’s Caprices.

Over a performing career that spanned 70 years, he gave more than 6,000 concerts and left over 500 recordings.

He favored a violin made by Guarneri del Gesù, and was known for his beautiful tone, dazzling technique, and distinctive cantabile style.

He excelled in works by Paganini and Sarasate and was also active in chamber music.

He is an artist I highly recommend to anyone who loves the sound of the violin.

Praeludium and AllegroDavid Garrett

Praeludium and Allegro – Pugnani-Kreisler – David Garrett – Sheet Music Play Along

Let me introduce David Garrett, a charismatic violinist often called the modern-day Paganini.

Born in 1980, Garrett is a German-American classical and crossover violinist.

He began playing the violin at the age of four and made his stage debut at ten.

In 2007, he entered the pop market with the crossover album “Free,” and has since released albums such as “Explosive” and “Unlimited.” Praised by Yehudi Menuhin as “the greatest violinist of his generation,” he has received honors including the ECHO Klassik and the Golden Camera awards.

Garrett’s captivating performances span a wide range of genres—from classical to rock and pop—making him a great recommendation not only for those who love the sound of the violin but also for newcomers to classical music.

Violin Concerto No.1Frank Peter Zimmermann

Mariss Jansons, Frank Peter Zimmerman – Prokofjev violin concert № 1

If you like traditionalist violinists, I recommend a performance by Frank Peter Zimmermann.

He’s a world-famous violinist, so if you enjoy classical music, many of you may already know him.

While he has a rich repertoire in the mainstream canon—Bach, Mozart, and the like—he also performs violin concertos by Bartók and Shostakovich.

He isn’t the flamboyantly individualistic type, but he is a violinist with exceptional fidelity to the score.

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CsárdásShinozaki Fuminori

Csárdás by Monti – Violin solo by Fuminori Shinozaki; mini violin solo Csárdás

Fumiyoshi Shinozaki is a violinist from Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, affectionately known as “Maro.” He made his debut at the Vienna Konzerthaus in 1982, where his performance was highly praised for its “rounded, vivid tone like rolling pearls and captivating musicality.” In 1997, he became concertmaster of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, performing at home and abroad as the “face of the N Symphony.” In 2004, he launched his self-produced series “MARO World,” which won the Classical Chamber Music/Choral category at the 33rd Music Pen Club Japan Awards for fiscal year 2020.

He is also active as a presenter on NHK Educational TV.

Listening to Shinozaki’s performances will surely draw you into the charm of classical music.

Bach Chaconne, Partita No. 2Midori Goto

Midori plays Bach – Chaconne, Partita No. 2

Midori Goto is a violinist born in Osaka in 1971.

At age 11, she performed with the New York Philharmonic, attracting worldwide attention.

In 1989, on her 18th birthday, she made her orchestral debut at Carnegie Hall to great acclaim.

She received the Avery Fisher Prize in 2001 and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021, recognizing her talent and contributions.

She is also passionate about music education and founded the nonprofit organization Midori & Friends to share the joy of music with children.

She performs on the 1734 Guarneri “ex-Huberman,” continuing to captivate audiences with playing that is both delicate and powerful.

She is an artist recommended not only for those who love classical music but for anyone seeking inspiration through music.

Korngold: Violin Concerto in D majorNicola Benedetti

Prom 12 – NYO 2019 Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

Nicola Benedetti, a violinist from Scotland, was born in 1987.

She began playing the violin at the age of four and, at sixteen, won the 2004 BBC Young Musician of the Year.

She later signed with Deutsche Grammophon and released her debut album.

She has performed with major orchestras around the world and is also active in recitals and chamber music.

In 2013, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

In 2020, she won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo.

Known for her innate musicality and dynamic stage presence, she is highly acclaimed in the classical music world.

She is a performer whom lovers of the violin’s timbre should definitely listen to.

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D majorMiura Fumiaki

Takayuki Hattori / Sanada Maru (2016) | Fumiaki Miura – Kimbo Ishii – NHK Symphony Orchestra

Born in 1993, Fumiaki Miura is a world-renowned violinist whom Japan proudly claims as its own.

Raised in a musical family, he began playing the violin at the age of three.

In 2009, at 16, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Hannover International Violin Competition, drawing international attention.

Since then, he has performed with major orchestras around the world, and in 2016 he gained wide recognition as the soloist for the theme music of the NHK historical drama Sanadamaru.

With performances that are both delicate and powerful, he continues to captivate not only classical music enthusiasts but a broad audience.

He is a performer whom anyone drawn to the sound of the violin should definitely hear.