Sergey Malov Shines at the Elbphilharmonie

On 16 January 2026, the multi-instrumentalist and conductor Sergey Malov appeared as “Principal Guest” of the Hamburger Camerata before a sold-out Grand Hall of the Elbphilharmonie with the program Storm. The concert marked the conclusion of his residency in the 2025/26 season and included works by Niccolò Paganini and Ludwig van Beethoven.

At the beginning of the evening, Malov performed his own improvisation Approaching Paganini, based on motifs from Paganini’s Caprices. The performance began outside the stage area and led playfully into the hall. This was followed by Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7, La Campanella, which Malov shaped as soloist in the role of play-conductor.

In the second part of the concert, Malov conducted Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, Eroica. The interpretation was marked by brisk tempi and clear contours, while the overall orchestral sound remained transparent and precise.

In an article in the Hamburger Abendblatt dated 17 January 2026, Helmut Peters wrote:

“Neither in the solo part nor in the orchestra, which was even reinforced by three trombones, was a single note omitted or blurred in the intoxication of contrasts, ornamentation, and ricochet-bow artistry. Everything was clear down to the smallest detail and finely coordinated in the entrances and transitions, without Malov, facing the audience, having to turn around and seek eye contact with the orchestral musicians.”

“It was magnificent how perfectly the Camerata Hamburg accompanied Malov in Paganini’s Violin Concerto, even though he was only briefly conducting and was necessarily also concentrating on the outrageous runs and tricks of his solo playing.”