Marat Bisengaliev

• Conductor
• Violinist

Biography

Born in Kazakhstan, USSR, in 1962 and making a startling debut at the age of nine, Marat Bisengaliev later studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow with two of the legendary names in violin tuition: Boris Belinki and Valery Klimov. Marat Bisengaliev was a prizewinner in 1988 at the Leipzig International Bach Competition, and in 1991 won first prize at the International Nicanor Zabaleta Competition in Spain, also receiving the special virtuoso prize for the most outstanding performance of the competition.

In 1989 he founded the Kazakh Chamber Orchestra with whom he toured as a soloist throughout Europe. In 1991 he settled in England and has since performed with most of the major orchestras making his concerto debut in England, playing the Beethoven concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His performances are frequently broadcasted on radio and television throughout the world. A major recording contract was signed in 1991 with Naxos and Marco Polo. His recording of the Mendelssohn concertos with the Northern Sinfonia became Gramophone Critic's Choice of the year in 1998.

Fanfare nominated his recording of the concerto by the British composer Havergal Brian with the BBC Scottish S.O. "Elgar - Re-discovered works for violin - Vol. 1" (Black Box) was nominated for the 1999 "Gramophone Award". The "Elgar - Re-discovered works for violin - Vol. 2" (Black Box) has been released to great critical acclaim and is one of five recordings recently highly recommended by Classic FM. Marat Bisengaliev was awarded a Gold Disc from Sony BMG for the latest release Tlep premiered in Albert Hall. In 2000, he received the 1st Independent "Platinum Tarlan" Award and the Government "Medal of Honour" in Kazakhstan. In 2003, Marat Bisengaliev founded the West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra.

Their first CD was released on EMI “Requiem” by K. Jenkins which became No.1 in Classic Sales Chart and No.1 in “Hall of Fame” on Classic FM magazine. In 2006 Marat became Artistsic Director of the Symphony Orchestra of India (Mumbai),the first professional full time Symphony Orchestra in India. Marat also signed a contract with Bank Turan Alem to create a Symphony Orchestra in Almaty, the Turan Alem Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent tours have taken him to USA, Kazakhstan, Poland, Japan, India, Italy, Ukraine and New Zealand including live televised concerts. Marat Bisengaliev has given concerts in over 35 countries with orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish, The Philharmonia, Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, BBC Ulster, Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland playing in some of the most prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (New York), Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Wigmore Hall (London), Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Waterfront (Belfast), Sheffield City Hall and the "Last Night of the Proms" in Dublin and Leeds.

Highlights for 2008-2009 include concerts in New-Zealand, USA, Kazakhstan, Spain, South Korea, Japan, India, Russia, Thailand and the UK as well as an intensive recording schedule for Sony BMG including a virtuoso album, a compilation of major concertos and the release of “Elgar – Violin Concerto “ and Nigel Hitchcock “Memory of the Heart”.