Vadim Tsibulevsky
violin, violin bow
Principal Violinist of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
My love for the violin began when I was 4 years old in Baku, Azerbaijan. I was enrolled in the Baku Special School of Music, and just a few years later, I had already won my first major national competition. Another two years later, when I was 12 years old, I won a Trans-Caucasian competition for children under 16.
In 1983, I moved to Moscow to begin my studies at the Central Music School. Three years later, I was admitted to the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory as a student of Prof. S. Kravchenko.
After completing my studies in Moscow in 1990, I moved to Israel, where I joined the Israel Chamber Orchestra under Shlomo Mintz while continuing my studies at the Rubin Academy of Music (Tel Aviv) with Prof. Y. Kless.
In 1992, I won the competition for “Newly Immigrated Musicians” in Netanya. This was naturally followed by many performances and concerts with various orchestras.
On the recommendation of Shlomo Mintz, I was loaned a Francesco Rugeri violin by the American-Israeli Cultural Fund.
In 1996, I was invited to serve as concertmaster of the I Fiamminghi Chamber Orchestra of Belgium. I moved to Antwerp and continued to build my career as a soloist and chamber musician in Europe. I also pursued my career as concertmaster with many different orchestras in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Since 2001, I have been the principal concertmaster of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2019, the Musical Instrument Fund gave me the special opportunity to play the Guarneri “del Gesù” violin. It was a wonderful adventure to get to know this instrument full of character—a challenge I embraced with great enthusiasm.
In 2020, I received a valuable addition to this violin, also thanks to the Musical Instrument Fund: a fantastic Persoit bow. When paired with the Guarneri “del Gesù,” this bow reveals a remarkable palette of timbres, depth, and expressive possibilities. Playing this exceptional combination brings me great artistic fulfillment.
I am deeply grateful to the Musical Instrument Fund for this special opportunity. I look forward to enjoying many more years of this collaboration.
