Martin Smith

Violinist

Martin studied violin with Lionel Bentley and Manoug Parikian at the Royal Academy of Music (where he won the Charles Black Scholarship) and later with Nicholas Roth and the renowned Russian virtuoso Grigori Zhislin.

For some years, he was in the Duke String Quartet, with whom he appeared throughout the UK and Europe, and in 1992 he founded the Ellerdale Trio with cellist Melanie Woodcock and pianist Sarah Down. As a soloist, Martin has appeared throughout the UK, as well as in the USA, France, Germany, Holland and Denmark. He made his solo debut at the South Bank in 1992 with the LSCO which he has led since 1996.

In addition to his work with Guildford Philharmonic, Martin also performs as soloist and leader with London Soloists and the Fine Arts Sinfonia.

Martin works frequently with many of the country’s leading chamber orchestras and is a member of the London Mozart Players and Primavera.

Martin plays on a fine Venetian violin made in 1770.

Photo and information derived from the programme accompanying The Elixir of Love (February 2007)