BIOGRAPHY
A Latvian cellist of exceptional artistry, Max Beitan is celebrated for his emotive performances and innovative interpretations. He has triumphed in 18 international competitions, including five Grand Prix awards, and has captivated audiences across Europe, the USA, and Asia.
“I hear an Italian voice”
Described by Riccardo Muti as possessing “an Italian voice,” Beitan's playing merges bel canto lyricism with a deeply expressive, almost spoken technique. His signature piece, Carmen Fantasy by Buxton Orr, exemplifies his virtuosic style, which often features his own transcriptions of opera, film scores, and the works of Kreisler and Heifetz.
“Impressive and memorable deep performance!”
Beitan's musical journey began at age four in Latvia and has been shaped by mentorships with Johannes Goritzki, Victoria Yagling, Natalia Gutman, and Ivo Pogorelich, the legendary pianist, whose mentorship has left an indelible mark on Beitan’s approach to performance. He made his international debut at age eight and has since performed with esteemed orchestras such as the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, and the Dresdner Philharmonie. At age 9, he won his second Grand Prix at the Liezen International Cello Competition and caught the attention of legendary cellist Daniil Shafran, who invited him to study with him and offered invaluable guidance.
“I found Max Beitan a dedicated and gifted musician with a bright future. He is very determined and his determination will carry him far in life. I wish him all the best and every success in his future endeavours as a performing artist.”
Beyond the concert stage, Beitan is the founder of the Beitan Music Foundation, curating cultural tours worldwide and facilitating collaborations between artists and collectors. He serves as a consultant for fine musical instruments, advising on acquisitions and investments, and has organized exhibitions featuring Stradivari instruments in locations like Villa del Balbianello and Villa Mozart.
“When I heard Max’s performance, I was overwhelmed with positive emotions. Even at such young age he possesses the qualities of a great artists! The most beautiful part is that he retains astonishing technical skills and manages to combine those skills with his emotionality, passion, and creativity.”
In 2024, Beitan had the honor of representing Latvia at the 75th Anniversary of NATO in Washington D.C., performing at the National Library.
Currently residing in Lugano, Switzerland, Beitan performs on distinguished instruments, including a David Tecchler and an Antonio Stradivari cello.
GALLERY
MUSIC
PRESS
Stradivari, Amati, Guarneri in Latvia
Repertoire
Concertos with the orchestra
- A. Dvorak – Cello Concerto No.1 h moll op. 104
- R. Schumann – Cello Concerto a moll op.129
- C. Saint-Saens – Cello Concerto No.1 a moll op.33
- D. Shostakovich – Concerto No. 1 Es dur op.107; No.2 op.126
- P. Tchaikovsky – Variations on a Rococo Theme A dur op.33
- B. Orr – Carmen Fantasy (1985)
- E. Elgar – Cello Concerto e moll op.85
- S. Prokofiev – Sinfonia Concertante e mol op.125
- G. Kancheli – Simi “Joyless Thoughts” 1995
- C.P.E. Bach – Cello Concertos Wq. 170 – 172
- J. Haydn – Cello Concerto C dur Hob.VIIb:1; D dur Hob VIIb:2
- J. Tavener – “Svyati” for cello and choir (1995)
Cello solo
- J.S. Bach - Cello solo suites I-VI (BWV 107-112)
- Z. Kodaly – Sonata b moll for cello solo op.8
- G.F. Handel – Passacaglia (arr. Z. Dynov)
- B.Britten – Solo suite for cello No. 1
- G. Ligeti – Solo sonata for cello
- M. Reger – Solo suite No. 1
- P. Hindemith – Solo sonata for cello
- G.Cassado - Solo suite
- H.Holliger – Trema
- J. Tavener – Threnos (1990)
Sonatas for cello and piano
- L. van Beethoven – Sonata No. 3 A dur op. 69, No. 4 C dur & 5 D Dur op. 102
- F. Schubert – Sonata Arpeggione a moll D. 821
- J. Brahms – Sonata No. 1 e moll op. 38, No. 2 F Dur op. 99
- F. Mendelssohn – Sonata No. 2 D Dur op. 58
- S. Rachmaninoff – Sonata g moll op. 19
- D. Shostakovich – Sonata d moll op. 40
- C. Franck – Sonata A dur
- S. Prokofiev – Sonata C Dur op.119
- F. Chopin – Sonata g moll op. 65
- I. Stravinsky – Suite Italienne
- C. Debussy – Sonata, 1915
- E. Grieg – Sonata a moll
- P. Loccatelli – Sonata D Dur
- G. Valentini – Sonata E dur
- R. Schumann pieces: i. Adagio & Allegro op. 70 ii. 5 Stucke im Volkston op. 102 iii. Fantasiestucke op. 73
Pieces for cello and piano
- J.S. Bach – Various transcriptions
- A. Khachaturian – Heifetz – Sabre Dance
- N. Paganini – “Der Hexentanz”
- M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco – Heifetz – Figaro Fantasy
- M. Ravel - Habanera
- B. Orr - Carmen Fantasy
- G. Gershwin – Heifetz – Porgy & Bess
- A. Dvorak-Kreisler – Slavonic Fantasy, Slavonic Dance No.2
- A. Piazzolla – Le Grand Tango, Oblivion and others
- S. Rachmaninoff – Vocalise, Romance, Oriental dance and others
- E. Bloch – Nigun
- M. Bruch – Kol Nidrei
- G. Faure – Elegie
- J. Massenet - Elegie
- J. Brahms – Hungarian dances
- A. Glazunov – Chant du Menestrel
- C. W. Gluck - Melodie
- A. Dvorak – Polonaise
- F. Chopin – Various transcriptions
- P. Tchaikovsky – Pezzo Capricioso
- P. Tchaikovsky – Lensky Aria from Eugenie Onegin
- P. Tchaikovsky – Valse Sentementale
- P. Tchaikovsky – Nocturne
- A.Dvorak – Rondo
- E. Granados – Andaluza
- List of an old Russian romances
projects
Max Beitan with the Stradivari 1689 "Archinto" cello, Cremona
Mr. Beitan is a founder of the Beitan Music Foundation which is aimed to bring artist and instrument together by encouraging philanthropists and investors to acquire the fines Italian instruments. To assist and promote young musicians, as well as renowned artists, with their careers by loaning them top- class instruments created by Antonio Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesu and other famous historical Italian violinmaker.
CONTACTS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
beitanmaxim@gmail.com
