Tatjana Masurenko

Tatjana Masurenko (born 21 January 1965) is a German violist of Russian descent.

Early life and education Masurenko was born to a Russian family of scientists and jazz musicians. Born in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, she grew up in Saint Petersburg, Encounters with Boris Pergamenschikow, György Kurtág, Brigitte Fassbaender and Herbert Blomstedt have also formed her artistic identity.

Masurenko has won top prizes at the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, the Markneukirchen International Viola Competition and the Yuri Bashmet Competition. were awarded the German Record Critics’ Prize, the Diapason d'Or and a Supersonic Award. Many of her students have built successful careers and are internationally active as soloists, professors, solo violists in major orchestras and as chamber musicians. Her teaching method is based on the St Petersburg tradition of the 19th and early 20th centuries and merges with the new ideas and perceptions of the 20th and 21st centuries, especially regarding the interpretation of the baroque and classical periods.

Masurenko is the artistic director of the Iznik International Viola Camp in Turkey and the chamber music series "Viola plus" at the University of Music and Theater Leipzig. In 2008, she initiated an annual masterclass for viola in Leipzig, which she also directs.

Instrument Masurenko plays a viola by Paolo Antonio Testore, made in Milan in 1756, and an instrument specially built for her by Jürgen Manthey (Leipzig 2017), a luthier developing new acoustic and tonal designs.

Premieres Works written for and premiered by Masurenko include the following: Nejat Başeğmezler, "Meine kleine Bachmusik" for Viola, Strings and Harpsichord, with the Bratschistenfreunde Chamber Orchestra Leipzig (2015) Nejat Başeğmezler, various works for Viola ensembles, premiered by the Leipzig Viola Ensemble, directed by Tatjana Masurenko (2015) Dimitri Terzakis, "Sonetto" for Viola and Piano (2012) Wolfgang Rihm, "Doppelgesang" for Viola, Clarinet and Orchestra, German premiere with the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Jörg Widmann, directed by Axel Kober (2008) Dimitri Terzakis, "Sappho" Cycle for Solo Viola (2007) Moritz von Gagern, "Auffädeln" (2007), for Speaker and Viola (with Brigitte Fassbaender) Spiros Mouchagier, "Greek Dances" for Viola and Piano (2006) Dimitri Terzakis, "Visionen, die Schalen des Zorns betreffend" (2004) for Choir and Viola ad lib. World premiere: January 29, 2005, Leipzig, Thomaskirche, with the Thomanerchor Spiros Mouchagier, "Terirem" for Viola and Chamber Orchestra (2005) Johannes Dittmar, op. 8 für Viola Solo (2005) Dimitri Terzakis, "Hero und Leander" for Viola Solo (2004) Dimitri Terzakis, "Solo für Tanja" for Viola Solo (2003)

Recordings Dances of Light. Music for Viola and folk instrument quartett by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Glazunov, Modest Mussorgsky and Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin. Tatjana Masurenko (Viola), Yaruss Quartett. Hänssler Profil PH23020, 2023 Just a Motion on the Air. Works for Viola and Piano by Ernst Krenek and Robert Schumann. Tatjana Masurenko (viola), Jens Elvekjær, Gilad Katznelson (piano). Coviello Classics, COV 91619 White Nights, vol. 1. Viola Music from Saint Petersburg. Works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Glazunov, Igor Stravinsky, Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Tatjana Masurenko (viola), Roglit Ishay (piano). Hänssler PH10029 White Nights, vol. 2. Viola Music from Saint Petersburg. Works by Sergei Prokofiev, Gennady Banshikov and Dmitri Shostakovich. Tatjana Masurenko (viola), Roglit Ishay (piano). Hänssler PH11070 Karl Amadeus Hartmann, Concerto for Viola and Piano. Tatjana Masurenko (viola), Frank-Immo Zichner (piano). Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, conductor: Marek Janowski British Viola Concertos. William Walton, Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (1962 version, revised 2002); Sally Beamish, Concerto No. 1 for Viola and Orchestra (1995, revised 1998); Benjamin Britten, Lachrymae – Reflections on a song of Dowland, (1976 version for Viola and String Orchestra), Tatjana Masurenko (viola), NDR Radiophilharmonie, conductor: Garry Walker Viola lumina. Johann Sebastian Bach, Suite No. 2 in D minor BWV 1008; Igor Stravinsky, Élégie (1944); Henri Vieuxtemps, Capriccio pour alto seule op. 61; Paul Hindemith, Sonata for Viola alone op.31 / 4 (1923) Portrait of Tatjana Masurenko with Nina Kogan, piano: Johannes Brahms, Sonata in E flat major for Piano and Viola op. 120 No. 2; George Enescu, Concertstuck pour alto avec accompagnement de piano; Benjamin Britten, Lachrymae – Reflections on a song of Dowland for Viola and Piano op. 48; Darius Milhaud, Quatre Visages pour alto et piano; Paul Hindemith, Sonata op. 25 No. 1 Dimitri Terzakis, Hero and Leander (2007). Christian Oliviera (narrator), Tatjana Masurenko (viola), Andrès Maupoint (piano) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Figaro Suite for String Quartet with Jan Vogler and others (Sony)