"What’s not to like? A warm, silky tone; an excellent technique at ease in gusto and finesse; a plethora of personal ideas to stimulate the ear; an artist who clearly enjoyed his work..." Palm Beach Art Journal, April 2009
CELLIST IAN MAKSIN is quickly gaining international recognition as a classical artist as well as rock musician. He gave his first cello recital at the age of six in his native St. Petersburg, Russia. He has performed as a soloist and as a part of chamber ensembles throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Ian has performed as a concerto soloist with numerous orchestras throughout the United States and Europe and has been the winner of several competitions, including the New World Symphony Competition and the Westmoreland Young Artist Competition. Many of his live performances and interviews have been broadcast on National Public Radio and its affiliate stations throughout the Unites States. He has performed in the chamber music series at the Spoleto Music Festival, Summit Music Festival, Ravinia Music Festival, Norfolk Music Festival, Lancaster Music Festival, and the White Nights Music Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, and many other ones.
Ian has premiered and recorded numerous works by contemporary composers, including a critically acclaimed CD “Sculpting Clouds” as a part of Ibis Camerata. The album came out on Albany Records in 2007 and features works by Julliard-based award-winning American composer Eric Ewazen. Also, in 2006 Ian recorded on the album “Clocks” music by Miguel de Aguila with the celebrated Cuarteto Latinoamericano.
In 2000, Ian became member of the New World Symphony, America’s foremost orchestra for young musicians from around the world directed by Michael Tilson Thomas. During his years with the orchestra, Ian has performed as the principal cello and appeared as a concerto soloist under the direction of such conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas, Hans Graf, Andreas Delfs, Donald Runnicles, Zdenek Macal, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Yan Pascal Tortelier, John Adams, Lukas Foss and many others. Ian has been frequently invited as a guest principal cellist to perform and record with numerous chamber orchestras including the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Erato Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Virtuosi Orchestra, Spoleto USA Orchestra, Illinois Symphony, as well as many others.
Outside classical music, Ian has collaborated with many well-known artists in different genres. He has performed and recorded with P Diddy, Gloria Estefan, Andrea Bocelli, Cirque du Soleil, Barry Gibb, and many others. As a member of different rock bands, he has appeared on MTV, at the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Milwaukee Summerfest, and many more.
The outstanding cello being used by Ian is a Francesco Rugeri made in Cremona, Italy around 1690, on loan through the generous efforts of the Stradivari Society of Chicago. The Stradivari Society is a unique organization that supports the very highest level of string playing by assisting patrons who own the most precious antique Italian instruments and choose to make them available to artists of exceptional talent and ability.
Bonjour, dear Ian! What a fantastic evening in Northbrook! It was wonderful to see you :) Your cello was magical...beautiful...and so upclose and personal that i was left breathless and speechless. you made me incredibly happy! this is my most favorite performance of yours and a memory i will treasure. yes, i liked very much the spanish pieces by the russian composers. i will miss you until your return to chicago. for now, a big hug and alway a smile...!
you looked very handsome last night with your "krel" wear, and it was a pleasure to hear your melodious cello once again. see you in june with a big smile!!
thanks for beeing friends!! I realy like your interpretations,it's a pleasure for me to ear you.I hope you will come in france ... amitiés musicales, Marie
what an outstanding performance Ian, you were fantastic and you play with an enormous passion!!! i overheard many wonderful comments about your solo. BRAVO!!
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