Top 10 Best Violinists of All Time
The violin is an instrument that has woven its way through centuries of music, leaving behind a legacy of virtuosity and emotional depth. But who are the musicians responsible for these soaring melodies and poignant harmonies? Which violinists have truly left their stamp on the world through their artistry?
The question of the best is always a tricky one, especially in the realm of music where tastes and opinions are as diverse as the notes on a scale. Yet, there are some violinists whose talent and influence are undeniable. They are the ones whose names are synonymous with the instrument itself, the ones who have pushed the boundaries of what's possible with a bow and four strings.
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Shadmehr Aghili
An Iranian musician known for blending violin performance with contemporary Persian pop. His work often combines classical influences with modern music styles.
He is a gifted violinist. He is also an excellent piano player and guitar player. However, it's his talent in playing the violin that makes him extremely unique among other artists.
Shadmehr's teaching allowed me to get into music and learn violin-making. Now a songwriter, he has captivated some of the most unique people on Earth.
When he was out of the country, we realized how amazing he truly is. Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest music teachers in the world.
He is the best. My soul goes to paradise when I listen to his performance.
His voice is a miracle too.
God save this talented boy from Persia.
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Mairead Nesbitt
An Irish violinist recognized for her role in the Celtic Woman ensemble and her expertise in traditional Irish music. She is known for her energetic and theatrical performances.
There are lots of reasons to love Mairead. 1) I have never seen another fiddle player capable of flying around the stage, spinning so fast that it would make most people dizzy, and still be able to play amazingly. 2) As someone else said, she truly cares about her fans. She is loving and sweet, and Mairead's meet-and-greets are always awesome.
1. When Mairead is on stage, it is poetic. The soft melodies are hauntingly beautiful, and she pulls you in. On the more upbeat songs, she is extremely energetic, and you cannot help but smile. 4) She is incredible with interacting with people during a show. She smiles genuinely all the time and really knows how to connect with her fans.
What is not to love about Mairead?
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Lucia Micarelli
An American violinist and actress praised for her classical training and crossover performances in jazz and popular music. She has toured with artists like Josh Groban and Chris Botti.
Lucia can knock your socks off (or your shoes, for that matter) with that thing! What a consummate professional with a style all her own.
She is wonderful to see in concert!
She can absolutely rock your socks off! She is a delight to watch in person. So much energy! She is best known for her collaborations with Josh Groban and the classic rock band Jethro Tull. She was the concertmaster with TSO on their Christmas Season Tour in 2003.
She's the best! I went to her concert once, and it was full of energy. She's such a great violinist. I like her a lot, and her Sibelius concerto in D minor is amazing!
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Niccolò Paganini
An Italian composer and violinist from the Romantic era renowned for his technical mastery and innovative techniques. His compositions, such as the Caprices, remain central to violin repertoire.
Paganini is the greatest violinist of all time, still undefeated. The proof is very simple: very few violinists can play his entire repertoire due to the very high degree of difficulty. Paganini used to compose on the fly, being some sort of a blues player. The generalized commentary was always, Paganini non si ripete! His cadenzas were always different.
Besides, he is the father of all new techniques. Never mind the names of modern violinists. They haven't come up with new ways of playing the violin. Let us be respectful and honor only those who deserve it. Now, the best of the modern violinists playing Paganini is, beyond any doubt, Salvatore Accardo.
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Itzhak Perlman
An Israeli-American violinist acclaimed for his remarkable tone, technique, and interpretation of classical works. He is also known for his dedication to music education and accessibility.
I mean, what the hell, man? Milicevic! Micarelli! Aghili! Has anyone gone to classical concerts? Listen to this great master playing the Bach Partitas or the Brahms Concerto or Tartini's Devil's Trill. Nobody is better.
And this conclusion was reached after I listened to over 100 recordings of each. Perlman is simply the greatest violinist alive and one of the greatest ever. This list should be: Paganini, Sarasate, Heifetz, Perlman, Oistrakh, Menuhin, Kreisler, Elman, Vivaldi, Tartini.
I am not sure how you can vote for some contemporary violinists like Lucia or Sarah Chang over some of the masters. Itzhak Perlman has way more experience than new violinists. In current times, he is for sure the greatest violinist of our time.
He has won 15 Grammy Awards and has been awarded the National Medal of the Arts and the Medal of Liberty.
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Bijan Mortazavi
An Iranian violinist and composer renowned for blending Persian traditional music with classical and contemporary influences. His live performances often feature intricate improvisations.
He has something magical in his works that makes them outstanding and sweet, even though some of them have been written simply. It is his ability to give notes life, which comes from his experiences as a violinist.
Bijan Mortazavi and Shadmehr Aghili are the best of all time! All of you know this too, so please vote for them! I love them and recommend that you love them too. By Emran Zabihi from Iran.
The best Iranian violinist is Bijan Mortazavi. He is better than Shadmehr Aghili. All Iranians know this. Viva Iranian players, especially Bijan, who is an instructor-level violin player.
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Sarah Chang
An American violinist who debuted at a young age and gained international acclaim for her extraordinary skill and musicality. She has performed with leading orchestras worldwide.
She is so natural and human. She doesn't pretend to be something superior but just expresses her own emotions. That is what modern listeners like.
As far as I'm concerned, she is the best violinist in the world. Her style of playing and her way of arranging notes are brilliant.
Just listen to them. I think Sarah is amazing. However, there are different kinds of music. Listen to them with an open mind.
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David Oistrakh
A Soviet violinist celebrated for his rich tone and interpretive depth in classical repertoire. He was also a respected conductor and teacher.
As my predecessor said, it's a matter of taste, but to me, no violinist from the recording age can top Oistrakh. He has perfect pitch and tempos, and the music is always achingly beautiful in his hands. He is much better than Heifetz.
Young people, please find and listen to his old recordings. He had flawless technique, a beautiful tone, and interpretive genius. He was better than Heifetz, yes, even the great Heifetz. No one alive today even comes close.
He is the only worthy violinist on this list from recent times. Who knows how Paganini played. Oistrakh is the king and always will be. He has an incredible sound and incredible artistry.
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David Garrett
A German violinist celebrated for his virtuosic performances and successful crossover into rock and pop genres. He has been nicknamed the "David Beckham of the violin" due to his popularity and charisma.
David had to face challenges greater than those faced by Paganini, when artists were paid to entertain, or Heifetz, when classical music already had a strong community. David's ability to unearth the classical core of modern music and make rock music sound classical goes beyond natural talent.
The competition he faces now is unlike what artists faced in the past when they were part of an exclusive club for music lovers. This point of view should also be considered.
In my opinion, David is the best of the young violinists out there right now. He plays with such a passion for the music and works hard to get the music just the way he wants it.
For a contemporary violinist, he has the chops. He's first and foremost a classical artist. The rock stuff he does is just for fun.
He has learned from the best, including Itzhak Perlman and the incomparable Ida Haendel, and he has not turned his back on his classical roots. He's simply amazing.
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Jascha Heifetz
A Russian-American violinist often regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time for his impeccable technique and emotional expressiveness. He was a pioneer in violin recordings.
I am a singer. I used to think the violin was alright, but few violinists ever made me want to listen for longer than a minute. Recently, our public television station ran a documentary on the life of Jascha Heifetz. He dedicated his life to the violin, and he was referred to as "God's violinist."
All his life, relationship skills, and other talents we aim to develop were focused solely on the violin and music. Like any genius who is so talented and focused, other aspects of his life suffered. However, no one I have ever heard can play the violin like Jascha Heifetz.
His music is pure, passionate, and filled with various other emotions. If you are open and truly listening, it's heavenly. There is no one to whom he can be compared.
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Lil Meerkat
Ameeer Pipi, known by his stage name Lil Meerkat, is a Canadian rapper and singer-songwriter. He became known for his unconventional remix of the Queen song "Bohemian Rhapsody." In November 2018, he released his debut studio album titled Weeaboo Paradise, Vol. 1.
As he says in many of his songs, he likes to play his violin.
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Simon Royer
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Tomo Milicevic
A Croatian-American musician and former lead guitarist for the band Thirty Seconds to Mars, where he incorporated violin into their music. His work is noted for blending classical elements with alternative rock.
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Yehudi Menuhin
An American-born British violinist known for his profound interpretations and humanitarian efforts. He collaborated with many notable artists throughout his career.
Menuhin's playing comes from another world. Almost every serious musician I know can hear the spiritual content of his playing.
Ida Haendel said, "There's only one word for Yehudi - Magic!" Ivry Gitlis said, "Well, of course, Heifetz was a kind of god, but with Yehudi, it was different. It's as if one of the angels of heaven came down and walked among us."
The absolute master violinist. Some of his recordings are classics and are still sought after. He defined the standards that others are measured against. He was also one of the best violin teachers, teaching Nigel Kennedy, etc. No one else on this list compares.
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Fritz Kreisler
An Austrian violinist and composer celebrated for his lyrical playing style and charming compositions. He contributed significantly to violin repertoire through original works and transcriptions.
I have heard quite a few live performances, and I would say Kreisler is, if not the best, then the most charismatic. Remember that Elgar's Violin Concerto was dedicated to him. He was a captain in the Austrian army and was badly wounded, sustaining saber slashes and hoof strikes, when a Cossack and his horse charged at him.
The last thing he remembered was the Cossack toppling as a result of him activating his rifle. Fritz was one of the old school who traveled by public bus to recitals.
A true violin master. His live concerts were truly outstanding, and his audiences were truly appreciative of this man's talent. Unfortunately, the recording technology of his day did not measure up to the range and purity of today's recordings.
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Joshua Bell
An American violinist renowned for his virtuosic technique and expressive performances in both classical and contemporary music. He is also the music director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
He was a child prodigy, and throughout his life, he has maintained the highest standards, doing amazing and creative things with his violin. From giving a "concert" in a metro station to observe people's reactions, to becoming the director of one of England's major orchestras, his contributions are significant.
His passion for music and his extraordinary interpretation of every classic piece he performs are of the highest caliber. In my estimation, he is one of perhaps the top three violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
I think Joshua Bell should be in the top 10. It doesn't make much sense that a lot of these other violinists are ranked ahead of him. He is way better than Lindsey Stirling. Also, he's the most expensive musician in the world, so it doesn't make much sense why he's number 19.
So, you guys need to stop being uninformed and move Joshua Bell up to the top 10.
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Mark O'Connor
Mark is the most versatile violinist of our generation. His masterpiece, The Fiddle Concerto, is the most played American violin concerto written in over half a century. He masters flawlessly genres ranging from Stephane Grappelli-era jazz, Americana, and bluegrass to classical music. His music camp at Berklee College of Music draws the best up-and-coming violinists from around the world each year. Due to his versatility and the success of The O'Connor Method, he would, without doubt, be the most influential American violinist in the last one hundred years.
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Nathan Milstein
A Russian-American violinist remembered for his extraordinary technique and artistry in the classical repertoire. His recordings of Bach and Romantic concertos remain highly regarded.
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Homayoun Khorram
An Iranian violinist and composer known for his role in popularizing Persian classical music. He was a master of improvisation and melodic innovation.
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Anne Sophie Mutter
A German violinist acclaimed for her interpretations of classical and modern violin works. She has collaborated with many leading composers and orchestras.
The mere fact that the depth of emotion and tender feeling she conveys on the violin is not at all diminished or disturbed by her prolific speed and adept accuracy has made me a spellbound admirer for many years. Her grace and beauty only embellish the core of her virtuosity as a violinist.
Absolutely the best living violinist. Such depth of humanity in her music-making and in her life. Integrity and passion in everything she plays.
She is inimitable. Try listening to Carmen-Fantasie. She is the best there is today.
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Parviz Yahaghi
None to second. Parviz has recorded several albums at his home! He is an innovative violinist who is rooted in Persian art heritage.
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Pablo de Sarasate
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Billy Contreras
Billy Contreras is a musical prodigy and certainly one of the top ten violinists/fiddlers in the country. He has been on tour with George Jones for nearly two years. In his spare time, he is an adjunct professor at Belmont University's School of Music.
Billy's talent knows no bounds. He is comfortable sitting first chair in a world-class orchestra or on stage at a bluegrass festival.
Billy performed with Doc Severinsen recently in Nashville. Doc thinks the sun rises and sets on Billy.
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Kasra Khadivar
So talented and emotional! Just watch the "Farzad Farzin Mask" video on the internet.
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Isaac Stern
An American violinist and cultural ambassador known for his exceptional musicianship and efforts to preserve Carnegie Hall. His contributions to music extended beyond performance to advocacy and mentorship.
I think Isaac Stern was the only one whose technical ability for speed and clear notes is so underrated. A master on the Mendelssohn, every note is crystal clear, and the speed is totally awesome.
His passion for the Tchaikovsky makes me well up every time I hear it. Please include him at the top of the list.
I could listen to Isaac Stern all day and never regret it. While others may feel otherwise, I personally believe he should have been rated as one of the world's greatest. May he rest in peace and fill heaven with his unique and blessed skill.
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Meysam Marvasti
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Samvel Yervinyan
An Armenian violinist admired for his versatility across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres. He has performed extensively with artists like Yanni.
Samvel belongs in the number 1 spot, hands down. He can outplay people with his eyes closed. He plays fast, slow, and in between, and the man is a total genius and perfectionist, to say the least.
The emotion he showed in Yanni's "To the Last Moment" cannot be topped. His violin was practically singing!
He plays extremely well and has a special, unrivaled style, with very agile hands as well!