ABOUT

A powerful technique, rich tone and passionate approach. There was a fluidity and warmth to his playing throughout the program’ 

New York Times

 

The refined, impassioned and commanding playing of Ukrainian violinist Aleksey Semenenko identifies him as inheritor of the great Odessa violin tradition and reflects an artistry marked by a powerful technique, rich tone and a deeply expressive musical voice. His performances are praised for their fluidity, warmth and an exceptional sense of musical narrative.  

 

Semenenko has performed with orchestras including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Seattle Symphony, Orchestra of St Luke’s, National Orchestra of Belgium, Kyiv Symphony and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Also sought after as a recitalist, he’s been invited to Snape Maltings, Wigmore Hall, Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, Bourgie Hall and Edinburgh Festival.  

 

Recent highlights include a UK tour with National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, concerts and recordings with BBC Philharmonic and Szczecin Philharmonic, plus appearances at the Berlin Philharmonie, and with Kuopio Symphony.  

 

The most recent addition to Semenenko’s discography is his album ‘Crossroads’ on BIS, with pianist Artem Belogurov, featuring sonatas by Previn, Schemmer and Gay. The launch of the album was marked by a Wigmore Hall recital in which the duo performed a selection of American works.

 

Semenenko began his violin studies at the age of six with Zoya Mertsalova at Stolyarsky School, making his solo debut with orchestra only a year later with Odessa Philharmonic. He completed his studies with Zakhar Bron and Harald Schoneweg at Cologne’s Hochschule für Musik and went on to become a prize winner at the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Violin Competition. He has also been a member of the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists scheme and Young Concert Artists in New York, which provided introductions to audiences across Europe and the United States.  

 

Alongside his performing career, Semenenko is Violin Professor at the Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen, Germany and Co-organiser and Artistic Director of the Odesa International Violin Competition.