Alina Ibragimova - Biography

Alina Ibragimova was supported by BBT between 2008 and 2010. For an up to date biography go to www.askonasholt.co.uk.

Performing music from baroque to new commissions on both modern and period instruments, Alina Ibragimova is one of the most accomplished and intriguing violinists of her generation, exemplified by her BBC Proms appearances – from Bach’s solo Partitas and Sonatas (2015) to world premières such as 2018’s Whirld by Rolf Wallin with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner.

Her orchestral itinerary takes her all over the world – not only America and Europe, but also Japan and Australia – while her long-standing duo partnership with pianist Cédric Tiberghien has featured Beethoven and Mozart violin sonata cycles at London’s Wigmore Hall, as well as tours to Japan, Korea, North America and their Berlin debut recital at the Pierre Boulez Saal. Alina is also a founding member of the period-instrument Chiaroscuro Quartet, much sought-after since its formation in 2005.

Alina’s discography on Hyperion Records includes 15 albums ranging from Bach to Szymanowski and Ysaÿe, as well as the complete Mozart Violin Sonata cycle with Tiberghien.

Born in Russia in 1985 Alina studied at the Moscow Gnesin School before moving with her family to the UK in 1995 where she studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal College of Music. She was also a member of the Kronberg Academy Masters programme. Alina’s teachers have included Natasha Boyarsky, Gordan Nikolitch and Christian Tetzlaff. Alina has been the recipient of awards including the Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist Award 2010, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award 2008, the Classical BRIT Young Performer of the Year Award 2009 and was a member of the BBC New Generation Artists Scheme 2005-7. She was made an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours List.

Alina performs on a c.1775 Anselmo Bellosio violin kindly provided by Georg von Opel.

Last updated: October 2018

I was very happy and very honoured to receive the Borletti-Buitoni Trust award in 2008. I think in today’s world young musicians need the kind of special help and support the BBT is giving to so many people. For me, it has been a very generous help without which some projects would not have been possible. Last year BBT helped me buy a beautiful bow, which I am very happy with and use all the time. Also, I am currently looking for a live/work space in Berlin, where I could rehearse and practise freely – something that also wasn’t possible before. I have a huge admiration for what BBT have done, are doing, and will do in the future. Their generosity and enthusiasm is greatly needed and appreciated by all.

Photographs by Eva Vermandel / Giorgia Bertazzi