Russian-Greek virtuoso violinist, Alexey Stychkin, emerged from a lineage steeped in profound musical and artistic heritage. His profound devotion and passion for a diverse spectrum of music and culture, cultivated since early childhood, imbued his musical approach with a rich tapestry of openness and depth.
Born in Moscow, Alexey commenced his violin studies at the esteemed Central Music School for Gifted Children under the tutelage of Galina Tourchaninova and later Eduard Grach. Eager to further refine his craft, he ventured to Belgium, continuing his musical journey with Marc Bouchkov at the Liege Royal Conservatory. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree at the Barenboim-Said Academy with Professor Michael Martin.
In the 2022-23 season, Alexey achieved the distinction of being selected as an academy artist in the first violin section of the Staatskapelle Berlin. Under the batons of luminaries such as Daniel Barenboim, Christian Thielemann, Antonello Manacorda, and Lorenzo Viotti, he honed his artistry. An exceptional highlight in his career included leading the orchestra alongside Daniel Barenboim for the 25th Anniversary of the Academy. Additionally, Alexey secured the prestigious first-ever open application place on the Classeek Ambassador Programme, a testament to his rising prominence in the classical music realm.
Alexey’s solo debut at the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, featuring Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Moscow State Orchestra, marked a pivotal moment in his career. Further orchestral appearances included compelling renditions of Sibelius Violin Concerto in Gent with GUSO Orchestra, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in Moscow with the Russian Philharmonic, and engaging performances of Bach Concertos with Maestro Reinhard Goebel and musicians of Villa Musica. Notably, Alexey showcased his versatility as concertmaster with the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn on numerous tours and recently led the Santander Festival Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Jaime Martín.
His chamber performances stood testament to his collaborative spirit, featuring partnerships with acclaimed artists like Kirill Gerstein, Marc Bouchkov, Kian Soltani, Kristof Barati, and Stephan Dohr. His engagements spanned prestigious festivals such as Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Festival “Samoborska Glazbena Jesen” in Croatia, Erfurt Music Festival, and Leopold Auer Music Festival, among others. In 2019, he had the honor of performing for Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
Alexey garnered acclaim in the competitive arena, clinching the third prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for young musicians and a special prize for the best Mozart performance. His accolades also included the third prize and audience prize at the Henry Vieuxtemps International Violin Competition in Belgium, the Radio Orpheus award, and a special prize at the Andreas Postacchini competition.
Beyond his classical pursuits, Alexey’s musical horizon extended to composition, ranging from electronic to orchestral genres. His passion for breaking artistic boundaries was evident in his diverse creations, including music for film, brands, and more. Participating in masterclasses with illustrious artists such as Ivry Gitlis, Boris Kushnir, Christoph Poppen, Victor Tretyakov, and mentorship from Mauricio Fuks, Gerhard Schulz, and Pavel Vernikov at the Kronberg Academy biannual violin masterclasses, Alexey was committed to continual growth and exploration.
In essence, Alexey Stychkin embodied not just a talented young violinist, but a multifaceted artist dedicated to pushing the boundaries of classical music, blending genres, and leaving an indelible mark on the world stage.
Alexey plays a 1740 Carlo Antonio Testore violin generously lent to him by the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.