Michail Markov
Born in Moscow, Michail Markov gave his first concerto performance at the age of ten at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. After graduating with distinction in 1975, he continued his studies with Victor Merzhanov, specialising in solo piano, chamber music, accompaniment, and pedagogy. He then embarked on a concert career that led him to perform across many countries of the former Soviet bloc, with a repertoire ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach to Sergei Prokofiev, both in recital and as a soloist with orchestra.
Before leaving Russia, he taught at the Gnessin Special Music School in Moscow, an institution dedicated to young talents. In 1991, he settled in the Netherlands, where he continued his dual career as performer and pedagogue. He became a professor at the Conservatory of Enschede and co-founded a department for young talents. He has since performed regularly in the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, and Asia, while steadily building an international reputation.
His discography includes works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Valeri Galperin, and Rodion Shchedrin, recorded in France and Germany. These recordings reflect his dedication to promoting lesser-known repertoire, particularly works from the Russian and Soviet traditions. Alongside his performing career, he is regularly invited to give masterclasses and to serve on the juries of international competitions in countries including Germany, Italy, Poland, Norway, Serbia, and Indonesia.
In 2022, in recognition of his many years of involvement in the International Piano Competition for Young Musicians in Enschede—where he played a decisive role in its European development—he was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassauand was knighted. This distinction acknowledges his influence as both a pedagogue and artistic director.
A highly versatile artist, Michail Markov continues to share his expertise while pursuing an active concert career, distinguished by an eclectic repertoire and a strong commitment to twentieth-century composers.
