About
Aleksey Igudesman is known as a violinist, but has also established himself as a composer, conductor, actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. He refuses to be categorised, promoting creativity and freedom of thought all around the globe.
His concert programs and live shows are always full of creativity, involving humour and virtuosity at the highest level. Stylistically, Igudesman loves breaking borders, often collaborating with great musicians, artists, dancers, and actors from around the world. One of his specialities is creating tailor-made programs for orchestras, concert halls and festivals.
THE VIOLINIST
During his studies at the Yehudi Menuhin School, he read all the plays of Shaw, Wilde, and Chekhov, and, after studying the violin with acclaimed pedagogue Boris Kuschnir, Igudesman embarked on a successful career playing concerts around the world, composing both concert and film music, and working with the likes of Hans Zimmer, John Malkovich, and Roger Moore among many others.
Aleksey Igudesman plays on a Santo Seraphin violin from the year 1717, which is kindly loaned to him by ERSTE BANK. His strings of choice are by Thomastik-Infeld. His concert outfits are often sponsored by Cleofe Finati.
THE COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR
Igudesman's greatest passion is writing music. His compositions are published by Universal Edition and have been performed worldwide by soloists, ensembles, and orchestras, such as the New York Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, often with his participation as a solo violinist and/or conductor.
Igudesman has written for and performed as a soloist on numerous film soundtracks. He has worked particularly closely with Academy Award-winning film composer Hans Zimmer on numerous films, including “Sherlock Holmes” which received an Oscar nomination for “Best Original Score.”
Igudesman’s compositions and commissions include a whole evening of music for the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, a piece for two violins and orchestra for Vadim Repin and Clara-Jumi Kang, and a work for violin solo and 100 violinists for Daniel Hope, as well as multiple publications on Universal Edition.
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In recent years, Igudesman composed the soundtrack to multiple documentaries, as well as numerous pieces for chamber ensembles and orchestras.
THE COMEDIAN - IGUDESMAN & JOO
Together with pianist Hyung-ki Joo, he performs as IGUDESMAN & JOO, receiving much acclaim around the world. Clips of the duo have been watched on YouTube over 45 million times.
As a duo, they have performed with Gidon Kremer, Julian Rachlin, Janine Jansen, Viktoria Mullova, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Yuja Wang, John Malkovich, Simple Minds, Sinead O’Connor, Tears for Fears, Billy Joel, and Robin Gibb from the Bee Gees, among many others.
Apart from touring extensively around the world with Igudesman & Joo, he performs solo shows with special guests and conducts chamber and symphony orchestras.
THE FILM MAKER AND ACTOR
Aleksey Igudesman has directed, produced, and starred in the feature-length documentaries “Noseland,” “Breaking Beethoven,” and “Breaking Rachmaninoff,” featuring, among others, John Malkovich, Billy Joel, Sir Roger Moore, Eric Carmen, and Hans Zimmer.
“Noseland” has been premiered at 14 festivals around the world and won the “Most Entertaining Documentary” award at the Doc Miami International Film Festival.
Igudesman starred in several Austrian TV series, and with his film production company “Only Hands Small” he co-produces documentaries and shows, often partnering up with ORF, WDR and Czech TV.
THE POET AND WRITER
Igudesman created “The Music Critic” - a sardonic mix of the most evil music critiques
of the last centuries, written about some of the greatest works of music. John Malkovich slips into the role of the evil critic who believes the music of Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, and the likes thereof, to be weary and dreary.
He has performed his violin duets in the project “Violins of the World,” in which his own
poems were recited by Sir Roger Moore. His poetry is often published together with his music on Universal Edition.
Together with Joo, Igudesman published the book “Saving the World” - a book about how to live in a more creative way, how to improve one’s life and hence save the world.
THE ENTREPRENEUR: “MUSIC TRAVELER”
Igudesman had the idea for the start-up Music Traveler, an app and online platform to book rehearsal spaces anywhere in the world. Together with Julia Rhee, Igudesman is the co-founder of Music Traveler, which enables musicians and music lovers to play music world-wide.
Future tours will include the chamber music version of "The Music Critic" as well as Igudesman conducting “The Music Critic at the Symphony” with orchestras worldwide and featuring John Malkovich in the leading role.