Elvin was born into a musician family in Ankara (Turkey). His grandfather Prof. Sarvar Ganiyev, Chair of Bilkent University Performing Arts Faculty Strings Option, was a prominent Azerbaijani violinist, holding the title of Peoples Artist in his homeland. His mother is a pianist and his father the principal cellist of the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra.

Elvin's talent in music was eminent at the age of two and at the age of six he entered the Bilkent University Music Preparatory Primary School with highest marks where he currently studies with Elena Postnova.

He won 1st Prize at the International Classical Cultural Heritage Competition 2006 in Moscow and was granted a scholarship to study in Moscow with Russian violinist Vladimir Spivakov. In 2007 he won 1st Prize and the 'Turkish Composer Award' at the Gülden Turali Violin Competition in Mersin (Turkey) and in 2009 2nd Prize at the International Competition for Young Violinists K. Lipinski and H. Wieniawski in Lublin (Poland).

In 2005 Elvin was chosen to play in 'Cihat Aşkın and His Young Friends' (CAKA), an ensemble formed by talented violinists all over Turkey. He has performed and given recitals among others in London, Moscow, Cairo (Egypt), Brussels (Belgium), Paris and Strasbourg (France), Baku (Azerbaijan) and Kazakhstan. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as Istanbul Symphony Orchestra, Doğuş Children and Presidential Symphony Orchesfras, Bilkent Chamber Orchestra, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, Azerbaijan Philharmonic Orchestra, Moscow Virtuosi Orchestra, Hacettepe Symphony Orchestra, Eskisehir and Izmir State Symphony Orchestras. In 2010 he's scheduled to perform with the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra under Klaus Weise and with the the Moscow Virtuosen under Vladimir Spivakov.

In 2008 Elvin was awarded Presidential Scholarship by President of Azerbaijan İlham Aliyev and his name was entered into the Golden Book of Azerbaijan. In 2010 Elvin was selected to be the Best Young Classical Performer by the Committee of Turkish Artists.

More information about Elvin can be found on his website, videos of him performing on Youtube.

Repertoire

J. S. Bach, Double Violin Concerto in D minor (BWV 1043)
J. S. Bach, Partita No. 3 in E Major (BWV 1006)
B. Bartok, Romanian Folk Dances
A. Dvorak, Songs My Mother Taught Me
G. F. Handel, Sonata No. 4
G. F. Handel, Sonata No. 6
K. Karayev, Vals
J. M. Leclair, Sonata No. 3 in D Major
J. Massenet, Meditation from Thais
F. Mendelssohn, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
W. A. Mozart, Violin Sonata No. 21 in E minor (K. 304)
W. A. Mozart, Rondo 'Alla Turca' for Violin and Orchestra
N. Paganini, Caprice No. 5 in A minor
N. Paganini, Caprice No. 13 in B flat Major
N. Paganini, Caprice No. 14 in E flat Major
N. Paganini, Caprice No. 16 in G minor
C. Saint-Saens, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor (Op. 28)
P. Sarasate, Caprice Basque (Op. 24)
P. I. Tchaikovsky, Meditation (Op. 42, No. 1)
P. I. Tchaikovsky, Scherzo (Op. 42, No. 2)
P. I. Tchaikovsky, Melodie (Op. 42, No. 3)
P. I. Tchaikovsky, Russian Dance
A. Vivaldi, Concerto for two Violins
A. Vivaldi, 'Summer' from 'The Four Seasons'
H. Vieuxtemps, Violin Concerto No.5 in A minor (Op. 37)
F. Waxman, Carmen Fantasy
H. Wieniawski, Caprice No. 3 (Op. 18)
H. Wieniawski, Caprice No. 2, 5 and 7 (Op. 10)
H. Wieniawski, Variations on an Original Theme for Violin and Piano (Op. 15)
H. Wieniawski, Violin Concerto No. 2 (Op. 22)

If you are interested in working with Elvin, please get in touch with the EMCY Office.