Biography

Nazrin Rashidova MMus, DipRAM, BMus, LRAM

Azerbaijani-British violin virtuoso, Nazrin Rashidova has been performing on stage   

since early childhood, making her concert debut at the age of 3 in one of the most  

prestigious palaces in Baku. Just half a year later, she performed in the Anglo-American University in Cairo. At the same time, she was already appearing with orchestras in the Egyptian Capital. She was an experienced international performer by the time the Cairo Opera House awarded her a Gold Medal after an exceptional solo recital as a six-year-old. And establishing FeMusa in summer 2008 - Britain’s first female chamber orchestra since the 1950’s, which was also featured on BBC World News, is merely the latest string to an already accomplished bow. 

Nazrin was accepted to The Purcell School of Music in 1995 and was the first pupil in the history of the school to have played on a 1/4 size violin gifted to the school by the Royal family, previously belonging to one of HRH The Prince of Walesʼ sons.  

In 1998, Nazrin became the youngest semi-finalist (aged ten) in the history of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition and was invited by Lord Menuhin to open the Gala concert of the Competition. Later on, she was a participant and prizewinner of several international competitions and festivals including, Henry Wieniawski in Poland, Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and the Queen Elisabeth in Belgium. Nazrin’s achievements have culminated in a nomination to attend the Woman of The Year 2006 in London for her accomplishments in music.  

In 2003, Nazrin was exceptionally accepted to The Royal Academy of Music at the age of 15 and successful graduated in 2009 with a Master of Music Degree, Diploma and Regency Award for Notable Achievement. During her studies at the School and Academy, Nazrin studied with renowned professors, Lydia Mordkovich, Felix Andrievsky and Erich Gruenberg OBE and has performed in masterclasses with Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Maxim Vengerov, Lewis Kaplan and Sylvia Rosenberg.  

Nazrin has had the opportunity to play on a very valuable and rare collection of violins by the great violin maker, Antonio Stradivari, and she was also the first student in the history of the Royal Academy of Music, to be lent the '1707 Castelbarco' violin for a long-term period of two years.  

Nazrin’s most notable appearances have included performing for the late President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev in Cairo, Baku and London. Nazrin has also had the privilege of performing for HRH The Prince of Wales on two occasions; at Buckingham Palace in 1995 and a private recital at St. James’ Palace in 2000. In 2001, Nazrin played for HM The Queen of Jordan during a charity concert in aid of MAIC in London.  

She has also given numerous concerts and recitals in the U.S.A, France, Germany,  

Poland, Egypt, Japan and in London at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, St. Martin- in- the –Fields, Cadogan Hall, St John’s Smith Square and Westminster Central Hall.  

Nazrin’ s established FeMusa String Ensemble has collaborated with renowned flautist, Ines Abdel-Daim and British mezzo-soprano, Louise Winter. They also revived Azerbaijani composer, Fikret Amirov’s ‘Nizami’ Symphony in St. John’s Smith Square in London in 2010, which was last performed in England in the 1960 ’ s, conducted by Leopold Stokowski.  

Nazrin’ s last notable visit to Azerbaijan in 2010 was met with a prestigious presentation of the ‘Azerbaijani Woman’ Magazine, where she was invited to perform with Maestro Teymour Geoychayev and the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra and acclaimed pianist, Daniel Grimwood.  

Her extensive repertoire encompasses under 40 Concertos and over 200 Chamber  

and Virtuoso works.  

Nazrin is now playing on a violin after G.B Guadagnini Milan 1753 'Straus' (Royal Academy of Music Collection) by Professor David Rattray, London 2009 and with an 1890 Lamy bow, generously gifted to her by James Smillie.