Male Violinists

Vote for Your Favourite Male Violinists

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 1 
Yo-Yo Ma
(American Grammy-Award Winning Cellist )
Yo-Yo Ma
6
Birthdate: October 7, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
French-born Chinese cellist Yo-Yo Ma was a child prodigy and later won 18 Grammys for his works. The Juilliard and Harvard alumnus has experimented with various types of music, including Brazilian and Chinese music. Named to Time 100 in 2020, he is also a U.N. Messenger of Peace.
 2 
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
(Baroque Composer & Virtuoso Violinist Known for His Violin Concertos 'The Four Seasons')
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi
6
Birthdate: March 4, 1678
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Venice, Italy
Died: July 28, 1741

Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, and teacher, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, is regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers. He was extremely popular during his lifetime and composed many instrumental concertos and operas. He was also a Roman Catholic priest and worked at a home for abandoned children. Even though he died in 1741, his music continues to be popular.

 3 
Niccolo Paganini
(Italian Violinist and Composer Best Known for His Work '24 Caprices for Solo Violin Op. 1')
Niccolo Paganini
6
Birthdate: October 27, 1782
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Genoa
Died: May 27, 1840
Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Niccolò Paganini established himself as one of the key figures of modern violin technique. Son of a trader-turned-street musician, he started his stint with music by learning to play the mandolin. Some of his most celebrated compositions were the 24 Caprices for Solo Violin Op. 1.
 4 
Yehudi Menuhin
(American Violinist and Conductor Who is Considered One of the Great Violinists of the 20th Century)
Yehudi Menuhin
4
Birthdate: April 22, 1916
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: March 12, 1999

Grammy Award-winning legendary 20th-century violinist Yehudi Menuhin was born to Lithuanian Jews in the US. Starting his training in the violin at age 4, he later studied music in Paris. He also experimented with fusion, collaborating with jazz and Indian classical musicians. He later launched the Yehudi Menuhin School.

 5 
Jascha Heifetz
(Former Violinist remembered for his performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall)
Jascha Heifetz
8
Birthdate: February 2, 1901
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Died: December 10, 1987
 6 
Joshua Bell
(Violinist)
Joshua Bell
6
Birthdate: December 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 7 
Isaac Stern
(American violinist)
Isaac Stern
3
Birthdate: July 21, 1920
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Krzemieniec, Ukraine
Died: September 22, 2001
 8 
Pinchas Zukerman
(Israeli-American Violinist and Conductor)
Pinchas Zukerman
3
Birthdate: July 16, 1948
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tel Aviv, Israel
 9 
Itzhak Perlman
(Israeli-American Violinist, Conductor, and Music Teacher)
Itzhak Perlman
0
Birthdate: August 31, 1945
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
A bout of polio at age 4 left Itzhak Perlman’s legs paralyzed but could not deter his spirit. The Juilliard alumnus has won 16 Grammys and the coveted Leventritt Prize for his phenomenal compositions. He has also served as a conductor for Detroit Symphony and orchestras. 
 10 
Stjepan Hauser
(Cellist)
Stjepan Hauser
4
Birthdate: June 15, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pula, Croatia
 11 
André Rieu
(Violinist and Conductor Best Known for Creating the Waltz-Playing 'Johann Strauss Orchestra')
André Rieu
6
Birthdate: October 1, 1949
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maastricht, Netherlands

André Rieu is a Dutch violinist whose work has earned him international fame for over 30 years. Also an orchestra leader, Rieu is credited with founding the Johann Strauß Orchestra, which is renowned for its unorthodox performances of classical works. André Rieu has played all over the world and is well-known for his performances of classical works by Johann Strauss. 

 12 
Peter Tosh
(Reggae Musician)
Peter Tosh
6
Birthdate: October 19, 1944
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Westmoreland, Jamaica
Died: September 11, 1987
Abandoned by his parents as a child, Peter Tosh grew up learning music by watching others perform. Part of the Jamaican reggae group Bob Marley and the Wailers, he advocated for legalization of marijuana. He loved unicycling. He was shot dead during a robbery attempt by three gunmen.
 13 
David Oistrakh
(Violinist)
David Oistrakh
3
Birthdate: September 30, 1908
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Odessa
Died: October 24, 1974

Two-time Grammy Award-winning Soviet violinist David Oistrakh had been trained in the instrument since age 5 and performed in his first concert at age 6. He later taught at the Moscow Conservatory and performed throughout the world, especially in Europe and the US. He also played for Soviet soldiers during World War II.

 14 
Nigel Kennedy
(Violinist)
Nigel Kennedy
7
Birthdate: December 28, 1956
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brighton, Sussex, England
 15 
Joseph Joachim
(Violinist Known for His Interpretations of Works of Bach, Mozart & Beethoven)
Joseph Joachim
3
Birthdate: June 28, 1831
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kittsee, Austria
Died: August 15, 1907

Hungarian violinist and composer Joseph Joachim was trained in Budapest and London before he became the director of the Hochschule für Ausübende Tonkunst in Berlin. He formed the Joachim Quartet and gained fame as a music teacher. He is best known for his versions of works by legends such as Beethoven.

 16 
Eugène YsaĂ¿e
(Belgian Virtuoso Violinist and Composer Regarded as 'The King of the Violin')
Eugène YsaĂ¿e
3
Birthdate: July 16, 1858
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Liège, Belgium
Died: May 12, 1931

Eugène Ysaÿe was a Belgian virtuoso violinist, conductor, and composer. Referred to as The King of the Violin, Ysaÿe is best remembered for his finely honed technique which was without the shortcomings of violinists before Eugène Ysaÿe. He is also remembered for his great interpretations of Bach and Beethoven as well as early modern composers like César Franck.

 17 
Leopold Mozart
(German Composer, Violinist and Theorist Best Known as the Father and Teacher of 'Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart')
Leopold Mozart
4
Birthdate: November 14, 1719
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Augsburg, Germany
Died: May 28, 1787

German violinist and composer Leopold Mozart is best remembered as the father and music teacher of legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, Leopold was often blamed for exploiting his son’s musical talent by pushing him to perform as a child. He also had a troubled relationship with his adult son.

 18 
Gustavo Dudamel
(Grammy-Winning Venezuelan Conductor and Violinist Who Has Directed the Los Angeles Philharmonic)
Gustavo Dudamel
4
Birthdate: January 26, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Barquisimeto, Venezuela

The son of a trombonist, Venezuelan musician Gustavo Dudamel took to music at age 5 and grew up to be a popular conductor/violinist. He has served as a director of some of the major global orchestras, such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Grammy winner has also appeared in several TV programs.

 19 
Luka Sulic
(Cellist)
Luka Sulic
5
Birthdate: August 25, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Maribor,
 20 
David Garrett
(Violinist)
David Garrett
7
Birthdate: September 4, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Aachen, Germany
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 21 
Fritz Kreisler
(One of the Greatest Violinists of All Time - Known for His Sweet Tone and Expressive Phrasing)
Fritz Kreisler
0
Birthdate: February 2, 1875
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: January 29, 1962

Born to a doctor in Austria, Fritz Kreisler was a music prodigy. However, after being rejected by the Vienna Philharmonic, he had started studying medicine. He had also studied art and been part of the Austrian army, though he is chiefly remembered for his violin pieces such as Viennese Caprice.

 22 
Henryk Wieniawski
(Polish Composer and Violinist Who is Regarded Amongst the Greatest Violinists in History)
Henryk Wieniawski
3
Birthdate: July 10, 1835
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lublin, Poland
Died: March 31, 1880

Henryk Wieniawski was a Polish composer, violinist, and pedagogue. He is often counted among the greatest violinists of all time. He was also one of the most important players in London's Beethoven Quartet Society. Henryk Wieniawski is still revered by violinists all over the world. 

 23 
Paul Hindemith
(German Composer and Music Theorist)
Paul Hindemith
4
Birthdate: November 16, 1895
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hanau, Germany
Died: December 28, 1963

Although German composer and violinist Paul Hindemith had collaborated with leftist and Jewish musicians, his apolitical stance made him a favorite of the Nazis initially. However, he was later forced to comply with Nazi dictatorship. He moved to the U.S. after his performances were banned in Germany.

 24 
Don Moen
(Singer-songwriter, Singer, Composer, Radio personality, Record producer, Violinist, Pianist)
Don Moen
3
Birthdate: June 29, 1950
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Minneapolis
 25 
Arcangelo Corelli
(Italian Violinist and Composer of Baroque Era Known for His Sonata and Concerto Compositions)
Arcangelo Corelli
5
Birthdate: February 17, 1653
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Fusignano, Italy
Died: January 8, 1713

Italian composer and violinist Arcangelo Corelli is regarded as a pioneer of the concerto grosso and the sonata. Named after his father who died 5 months before his birth, Corelli rose to be a major figure of Baroque music and became a favorite of priests and the royalty.

 26 
Robby Steinhardt
(Musician)
Robby Steinhardt
3
Birthdate: May 25, 1950
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: July 17, 2021
 27 
Jean-Luc Ponty
(Jazz violinist and composer)
Jean-Luc Ponty
3
Birthdate: September 29, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Avranches, France
 28 
Chevalier de Saint-Georges
(French Violinist, Composer, and Foil Fencer)
Chevalier de Saint-Georges
4
Birthdate: December 25, 1745
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Baillif, Guadeloupe
Died: June 10, 1799
 29 
Gil Shaham
(Musician)
Gil Shaham
2
Birthdate: February 19, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Urbana
 30 
Max Bruch
(German Romantic Composer, Conductor & Educator)
Max Bruch
3
Birthdate: January 6, 1838
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Cologne, Germany
Died: October 2, 1920

Max Bruch composed his first song at 9 for his mother’s birthday and then earned a scholarship after creating a symphony at the tender age of 14. He worked extensively with the choral societies of Germany and is remembered for his iconic Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor.

 31 
Ottorino Respighi
(Composer)
Ottorino Respighi
3
Birthdate: June 9, 1879
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy
Died: April 18, 1936
 32 
Pablo de Sarasate
(Spanish Violin Virtuoso, Composer and Conductor)
Pablo de Sarasate
8
Birthdate: March 10, 1844
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pamplona, Spain
Died: September 20, 1908

Pablo de Sarasate was a Spanish violin virtuoso, composer, and conductor active during the Romantic period. He was a musical prodigy and gave his first public concert at the age of eight. He grew up to have a successful career and performed mainly opera fantasies. The Spanish Dances and the Carmen Fantasy are among his masterpieces. 

 33 
Sammy Cahn
(Lyricist)
Sammy Cahn
3
Birthdate: June 18, 1913
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
Died: January 15, 1993
 34 
Nathaniel Ayers
(Musician)
Nathaniel Ayers
5
Birthdate: January 31, 1951
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
 35 
Andrew Bird
(Musician)
Andrew Bird
4
Birthdate: July 11, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Illinois, USA
 36 
Ray Chen
(Violinist)
Ray Chen
7
Birthdate: March 6, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan
 37 
Stéphane Grappelli
(French Jazz Violinist)
Stéphane Grappelli
5
Birthdate: January 26, 1908
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: December 1, 1997

Stéphane Grappelli was a French-Italian violinist best remembered as the co-founder of a jazz group named The Quintette du Hot Club de France. The group became famous for being one of the first jazz bands to house only string instruments. Nicknamed the grandfather of jazz violinists, Stéphane Grappelli went on to play in concerts well into his 80s.

 38 
Nathan Milstein
(Russian-Born American Violinist Known for His Interpretations of Bach)
Nathan Milstein
2
Birthdate: January 13, 1904
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Odesa, Ukraine
Died: December 21, 1992
 39 
Augustin Hadelich
(Violinist)
Augustin Hadelich
3
Birthdate: April 4, 1984
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Cecina, Italy
 40 
Giuseppe Tartini
(Italian Composer of the Baroque Era Known for His Violin Sonata in G Minor)
Giuseppe Tartini
3
Birthdate: April 8, 1692
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Piran, Slovenia
Died: February 26, 1770

Italian violinist Giuseppe Tartini initially studied and also established himself as a skilled fencer. Arrested for marrying an acquaintance of the archbishop of Padua, he fled to a monastery in Assisi, where he got addicted to music, later inventing the difference tone and a theory of harmony.

 41 
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
(Composer)
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
3
Birthdate: January 4, 1710
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Iesi, Italy
Died: March 16, 1736
 42 
Kishi Bashi
(Musician)
Kishi Bashi
0
Birthdate: November 4, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States
 43 
Paul Whiteman
(Bandleader)
Paul Whiteman
3
Birthdate: March 28, 1890
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States
Died: December 29, 1967
 44 
Ivry Gitlis
(Israeli Virtuoso Violinist)
Ivry Gitlis
7
Birthdate: August 24, 1922
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Haifa, Israel
Died: December 24, 2020
 45 
Johann Nepomuk Hummel
(Composer and virtuoso pianist)
Johann Nepomuk Hummel
3
Birthdate: November 14, 1778
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bratislava, Slovakia
Died: October 17, 1837
 46 
Carl Nielsen
(Danish Composer Known for for His Six Symphonies, Wind Quintet and Concertos for Violin, Flute and Clarinet)
Carl Nielsen
3
Birthdate: June 9, 1865
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nørre Lyndelse, Denmark
Died: October 3, 1931

Carl Nielsen was a Danish violinist, composer, and conductor. He is widely regarded as the most important Danish composer of all time. Nielsen also taught music at the Royal Academy and served as its director in 1931. Thanks to his teaching career, he has had considerable influence on Denmark's classical music. Among his pupils were Thorvald Aagaard and Harald Agersnap. 

 47 
Harry Partch
(Composer)
Harry Partch
3
Birthdate: June 24, 1901
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Died: September 3, 1974
 48 
Ara Malikian
(Armenian Violinist and Musician)
Ara Malikian
3
Birthdate: September 14, 1968
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
 49 
Nate Mendel
(Musician)
Nate Mendel
0
Birthdate: December 2, 1968
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, USA
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 50 
Neville Marriner
(British musician)
Neville Marriner
3
Birthdate: April 15, 1924
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lincoln, England
Died: October 2, 2016