Sergey Malov and the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra

Russian-born violinist Sergey Malov is widely recognised for both his versatility and virtuosity. He performs on violin, viola, Baroque violin, and violoncello da spalla—the instrument on which Johann Sebastian Bach is believed to have played his cello suites. His repertoire ranges from early Baroque music and Bach through to Classical and Romantic violin concertos, as well as world premieres of contemporary works. His interpretations are informed by a deep study of historical styles and performance practice.

As a violinist, he has been awarded prizes at major international competitions including the Paganini Competition in Genoa, the Mozart Competition in Salzburg, the Heifetz Competition in Vilnius, and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in Auckland. As a violist, he has achieved outstanding results at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and the Tokyo Viola Competition.

As a soloist on both violin and viola, he has appeared with leading orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. In recent seasons, he has been invited by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Sibelius’ Violin Concerto on Sibelius’ birthday under Klaus Mäkelä, and has also appeared at the Innsbruck Early Music Festival, toured Japan, and performed with the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra. In summer 2019, he was Artist in Residence at the Turku Music Festival in Finland.

Sergey Malov was awarded the Baroque Violin Prize at the Leipzig Bach Competition. The Dutch JumpstartJunior Foundation has provided him with the use of a Baroque violin made by Gioffredo Cappa. As a soloist, he has collaborated with leading early music ensembles including the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Venice Baroque Orchestra, Sevilla Baroque Orchestra, Musica Viva Moscow, Camerata Salzburg, and Baroque Orchestra Halle.

His recordings on the violoncello da spalla have attracted over one million views online. In addition to Bach’s six cello suites, he performs an extensive solo and chamber repertoire on this instrument.