His electrifying performances, blending classical music with pop and rock, have captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Davis Garrett is one of the leading figures of the classical crossover genre. His repertoire ranges from the covers of Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Coldplay, Metallica, Nirvana, and Eminem to breathtaking interpretations of the classical music canon. Playing his 1716 Stradivarius, David Garrett astounds with his masterful technique.
David Garrett is currently on his Millennium Symphony World Tour 2025. If you want to hear his thrilling renditions of ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ or ‘Viva La Vida’ live, you can’t miss his concert!
1. Child prodigy from Germany
His birth name is David Christian Bongartz. David Garrett was born in 1980 in Aachen, Germany, the son of a German lawyer and an American prima ballerina.
His extraordinary talent surfaced early. David began playing the violin at the age of four, won his first competition a year later, and gave his first public concerts by seven. At ten, he adopted the stage name David Garrett, taking his mother’s maiden name. When he was eleven, he received his first Stradivarius as a gift from German President Richard von Weizsäcker. By 13, he had signed with the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label.
2. He was mentored by the best
Although he achieved success at a young age, David continued to strive for more. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. Among his most important musical mentors, David names the legendary Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman and Polish-British violinist Ida Haendel.
3. To cover tuition costs, he became a model
During his studies in New York City, David Garrett worked part-time as a model. His charisma and looks quickly caught the attention of the fashion world. He worked for Vogue magazine and the Armani brand.
4. He composes his own music
David Garrett is not only a virtuoso violinist but also an arranger and composer. While studying at the Juilliard School in New York, he explored the intricacies of music theory and composition. From time to time, he features his own compositions on his albums; on the 2015 album Explosive, you can enjoy seven pieces written by the artist.
5. A Guinness World Record holder
In 2008, David Garrett earned a spot in the Guinness World Records as the “fastest violinist in the world.” He performed Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee in just 66 seconds!
6. Big-screen debut
Garrett made his acting debut in 2013. He played the leading role of the famous Italian violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini in the German-Italian co-production Paganini: The Devil’s Violinist. In this film, we can hear violin pieces played and arranged by David.
7. Not only violin
Although the violin is his signature instrument, David also plays piano. His musical interests are very broad, which is clearly reflected in his eclectic arrangements.
8. Surprising collaborations
Garrett often teams up with other popular artists, creating fascinating — and often surprising — musical projects. Garrett had the opportunity to work with one of the greatest tenors of our time, Andrea Bocelli. Together, they recorded two pieces: Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘Ma Dove Sei.’
Garrett’s surprising collaboration with Till Lindemann, the frontman of Rammstein, caused a stir in the German media in 2020. The duo released a moody interpretation of the 1920s song ‘Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag.’
Another intriguing collaboration was Garrett’s project with Nicole Scherzinger, best known as a member of the group Pussycat Dolls. They created the song ‘Io Ti Penso Amore,’ which was featured on the soundtrack of the film Paganini: The Devil’s Violinist.
9. His autobiography
At the end of 2022, Garrett released his autobiography If You Only Knew. In this book, he opens up about his personal experiences and his path to international fame.
10. A conductor
In 2023, Garrett made his debut as a conductor, leading a piano concerto at the Interlaken Classics Festival in Switzerland.
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Very interesting article!