Award-winning violinist reflects on career and future

The successful violin virtuoso Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev will share the stage with the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra in Eskişehir for the Turkey premiere of the Karłowicz Violin Concerto.

The young artist, who has won awards at the Karol Szymanowski International Music Competition, the George Enescu International Violin Competition and the International Jascha Heifetz Violin Competition, spoke to an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent about the key milestones of his career, his new projects, touring schedule and his views on the future of classical music, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Emphasizing that coming from a musical family was important for his career, Ganiyev said: “My mother, father, grandfather and uncle are all very successful in what they do. In our family there are two or three violinists, a cellist, two pianists, a ballerina and many artists. Since my childhood, very successful musicians always gathered in our home. Violinists, pianists and conductors whom I could call very famous would visit. Growing up in such an environment, it all felt normal to me.”

“After losing my grandfather, I struggled to play the violin for a while”

Ganiyev said that when he first became interested in classical music, he did not realize how difficult the path would be.

“I discovered how challenging it really is, and how much effort it requires, when I was around 11 or 12. Yes, I was performing in concerts and going to competitions as a child, but playing the violin felt like a game, something fun that I was doing just for myself,” he said.

He described the death of his grandfather, Azerbaijan State and People’s Artist Server Ganiyev, as a turning point in his life.

“My grandfather was a very famous violinist and my first teacher. After losing him, I found it hard to play for a while because I had closely associated myself and my violin playing with him. The surname Ganiyev carries great weight. It belongs to someone who contributed enormously to violin and music in Azerbaijan and Turkey. Carrying that name motivated me to follow in his footsteps and take this profession much more seriously,” he said.

“I want to devote my life to my profession, my violin and representing my countries”

Underlining that his grandfather remains an important role model, Ganiyev said: “Even in his 70s, he would wake up every morning and practice the violin for hours. Students would come, he would teach them, guide them and inspire them. That is what love for one’s profession looks like. I want to devote my life to my profession, my violin and representing my countries.”

He stressed that his goal is not only success or winning international awards.

“My aim is to contribute positively to my countries, to represent them and to show that truly successful artists can emerge from these places. With this motivation, the sacrifices, effort and hard work naturally brought success,” he said.

“I was proud even if the album hadn’t been shortlisted”

Nominated for the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), Ganiyev said he did not expect his first professional album to be shortlisted.

“I recorded Eugène Ysaÿe’s six violin sonatas, among the most difficult works ever written for the violin. Recording all six together is something only a few artists have done. I knew it was a huge undertaking. Completing work that can take two or three years in just three days was important at my age. Even without the nomination, I was proud of myself for accomplishing it,” he said.

“I think audiences sometimes get bored”

Speaking about the role of social media in reaching wider audiences, Ganiyev said he was initially hesitant to use it professionally.

“Over time, I realized that a serious audience discovers and engages with us through social platforms. This is the reality of our world, and I began using social media to promote classical music more in Turkey.”

He noted that the biggest issue is the incorrect presentation of “classical music” online. “Playing popular music on classical instruments does not make it classical music. This creates false expectations and confusion,” he said.

Ganiyev added that the short-form nature of social media does not align with classical music. “Classical works are not one-minute pieces. There are symphonies lasting one and a half to two hours and violin concertos lasting 45 to 50 minutes. Since social media reduces attention spans, I think audiences sometimes get bored at concerts,” he said.

He also emphasized that families play the biggest role in helping talented children realize their potential. “Support is not just financial. Parents should not leave their children alone, should follow their practice, observe them and communicate with teachers. This is the greatest support families can offer,” he said.

New album and upcoming tour

Ganiyev said his new album, planned for release this month, was recorded in Germany with British conductor Howard Griffiths and the Württemberg Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring two Mendelssohn violin concertos.

He added that his 2026 tour program has already begun with concerts in Azerbaijan and Albania, and that he is preparing tours to Latin America and South Africa this year.

Regarding his upcoming concert with the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra, Ganiyev said he will perform a violin concerto never before played there — a 100-year-old work by Mieczysław Karłowicz.

In March, he will perform on March 10 in Tbilisi, March 19 in Baku and March 26 at the Süreyya Opera House in Istanbul.