Igor Yuzefovich

Internationally acclaimed for his “expressive depth, refined tone, and commanding presence”, violinist Igor Yuzefovich has held the esteemed position of Leader with the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 2018, and was most recently appointed as Principal Guest Leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Praised for his “supple tone and ability to lead with both authority and sensitivity”, he is regarded as one of the most sought-after orchestral leaders on the international music scene.

Yuzefovich’s orchestral career launched in 2005 when he was appointed as Assistant Concertmaster of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (USA) by then Music Director Yuri Temirkanov. In 2011, Yuzefovich was appointed as Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and in 2014 assumed the same role with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In these leading roles, he has worked closely with renowned conductors such as Sakari Oramo, Semyon Bychkov, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Gustavo Dudamel, Marin Alsop, and Klaus Mäkelä, among many others.

Igor Yuzefovich has frequently guest led many of the world’s leading orchestras including, among others, the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Opera House, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Orchestra de Paris, Ulster Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Iceland Symphony, and both Basque and Spanish National Orchestras.

His performances have taken him to most of the major venues around the globe, both as concertmaster and soloist and have been widely praised by critics. A recent performance of Vaughan Williams’ Lark Ascending with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sakari Oramo earned accolades in The Times for its “unruffled poise and quiet beauty”.

Equally at home in chamber music, Yuzefovich is co-founder of the Monument Piano Trio, which has performed extensively in the United States and China. Their debut recording, featuring works by Brahms, Shostakovich, and Schoenfield, was widely praised for its intensity and artistic cohesion. Recent chamber collaborations in the UK include leading various ensembles at the JAM on the Marsh festival.

Alongside his performing career, Yuzefovich is a dedicated educator, giving masterclasses internationally as well as serving as a Visiting Professor of Violin and Orchestral Studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His teaching style reflects the same qualities for which he is admired on stage: a balance of technical mastery, commitment and deep musical understanding.

Born in Moscow into a musical family, Igor Yuzefovich began his violin studies at the age of 5, soon enrolling to study with Irina Svetlova at the prestigious Gnessin Music School. He continued his musical studies in the USA with Victor Danchenko at the Peabody Conservatory, earning both a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma.