David Garrett is a German classical and electric violinist and recording artist. He was born David Christian Bongartz in 1980 in Aachen, Germany. Garrett began playing the violin at the age of four and was accepted at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester at the age of ten, where he studied with world-renowned professor and violin pedagogue Zakhar Bron.
Garrett's success began when he won the Eurovision Young Musicians competition in Berlin in 1999. He then signed with Decca Records in 2000 and released his debut album, "Virtuoso," which went to number one on the German pop charts. Garrett's success continued with three more studio albums, including "Encore," "Legacy," and "Music." He has also released several live albums and DVDs, including "Live in Berlin," "Live in Vienna," and "Live in Baden-Baden."
Garrett's repertoire ranges from classical works to modern pop covers, often played on both electric and classical violins. He has collaborated with many renowned artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Rihanna. He has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In addition, Garrett has composed music for several feature films, including The Devil's Violinist and Beyond the Line.
Garrett has been awarded many honors, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2010, the Echo Klassik Award in 2011, and the German Music Award in 2012. He has also been the recipient of numerous international awards, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award and the European Culture Prize.
Garrett continues to tour extensively, playing to sold-out venues across Europe, North America, and Asia. He currently resides in Berlin, Germany, where he continues to record and tour with his band, The David Garrett Band.
