The Ukrainian-British violist and conductor Maxim Rysanov is recognized as one of the most vibrant and charismatic musicians in the world. As a conductor and violist, he is a regular guest with international orchestras, often in programs where he performs and conducts simultaneously.
Among his most notable performances are concerts with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances as conductor with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Bulgarian Radio Orchestra, MAV Budapest, London Mozart Players, Basel Symphony Orchestra and the Milan Symphony Orchestra (La Verdi). In 2025 he toured Europe alongside Evgeni Kissin performing Shostakovich’s viola sonatas.
Maxim’s passion for contemporary music has led him to premiere works by Dobrinka Tabakova, Pēteris Vasks, Richard Dubugnon and Valentin Bibik. He also performed as conductor and soloist in the world premiere of Gabriel Prokofiev’s Viola Concerto with the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn.
His recordings have received numerous nominations and awards, including Gramophone Editor’s Choice, ECHO and ICMA. In 2013 he participated as soloist and conductor in the debut recording of composer Dobrinka Tabakova (ECM), which reached number 2 in the UK classical music charts and was shortlisted for the Grammy Awards. His album In Schubert’s Company was chosen Gramophone Critic’s Choice of the Year. Maxim was awarded Gramophone Young Artist of the Year and was part of the BBC New Generation Artist program.
Maxim is International Artist in Residence at the Royal College of Music and gives masterclasses at conservatories such as the Royal Northern College of Music, the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin and Chopin University.
He plays a 1780 Giuseppe Guadagnini viola, known as “Il Soldato,” on private loan managed by Premiere Performances Hong Kong.