“Maria Spengler delivered an exquisite interpretation of Ysaÿe’s Sonata No. 5, rich in nuance and artistry." Strad 2007
“Maria Spengler Markovic masterfully delivered the solo cadenzas with exceptional precision and artistry.” International Review of Composers 2024
"The artist stands alone, with four strings, and with the sky above her, embodying Bach himself — without anyone or anything to conceal even the slightest mistake. And tonight, there were none. A beautiful sound, a pure tone, each phrase carried through to its full meaning. Bravo, Maria, I whisper to myself, while my parallel world resonates with joy." from recital of Bach solo sonatas. Ivana Stefanovic (Dnevnik, Belgrade 2021)
“Artistic Director Maria Spengler brought something truly exceptional. It is rare to hear a string orchestra perform Handel with such expressive depth, vitality, and rhythmic precision. The result was a profound artistic experience and a delight for the audience. Our deepest admiration goes to Maria Spengler and the St. George Strings for their outstanding interpretation of Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4.” “Kultur & Bibliotek”(Sweden)
“Her sound shimmers with vitality and brilliance, turning every phrase into sheer enchantment.”
(Haffner Serenade with Belgrade Philharmonic) “Politika”, Belgrade
“Maria Spengler signed tonight’s concert with her superior technique, subtle musicianship and a strong leadership.”
(BEMUS Festival with St George Strings) “Danas”, Belgrade
Maria Spengler-Marković is a violinist, artistic director, and educator. A laureate of the Michelangelo Abbado International Competition in Italy and the Jeunesses Musicales Competition in Belgrade, she quickly established herself as one of the most promising violinists of her generation. Maria was gifted G. Tarasconi violin by the City of Belgrade in recognition for her contribution to the music scene in Belgrade.
As a soloist, she has appeared with leading ensembles including the Belgrade Philharmonic, Radio Symphony Orchestra Belgrade, St. George Strings, Dušan Skovran Chamber Orchestra, the Mittel Europa Orchestra (Italy), and the Franz Liszt Symphony Orchestra (Budapest). She premiered Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in Serbia, with the Radio Symphony Orchestra (D.Porcelijn) and introduced Zoran Erić’s Six Scenes and Comments to audiences across Europe, from its premiere in Serbia to London’s Barbican Hall and a tour of Sweden with the Belgrade Philharmonic. She was coached by and later performed with members of the Veilinger, Melos, Takács and Alban Berg quartets, and collaborated extensively with ensembles for contemporary music such as MusikFabrik (Cologne) and Ensemble Modern(Frankfurt). She performed in London’s BBC Proms, presenting works for violin and piano by John Adams, in a concert broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 with the composer himself introducing the program.
Maria was guest concertmaster with the Belgrade Philharmonic, Slovenian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra. With the Guildhall Chamber Orchestra, she introduced London audiences to works by contemporary Serbian composers.
She has performed in the world’s most prestigious venues across Europe, South America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and has appeared at major festivals including Darmstadt, Lucerne, Vienna, Brussels, BBC Proms in London, BEMUS, NOMUS, and the Ohrid Summer Festival.
Recent highlights include a concert with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, where she appeared as both soloist and artistic director, performing two violin concertos by Maddalena Lombardini Sirmen, Louise Farrenc’s Symphony No. 3, and Isidora Žebeljan’s Seliste, for strings.
She also performed Bach’s Sonatas for solo violin at the opening of the BUNT Festival in Belgrade, and most recently performed Srđan Hofman’s Concertante Episodes with the Belgrade Radio Symphony Orchestra at the opening of the International Review of Composers 2024, in Belgrade’s Kolarac Hall.
Her performances are also documented on recordings for RTV Serbia, BBC, and labels such as Channel Classics, WDR, and Chandos. She serves as a juror at international violin competitions, and is regularly invited to give masterclasses across Europe.
Maria Spengler-Marković completed her undergraduate and master’s studies as the top student of her generation at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, under prof. Dejan Mihailović. As a scholarship recipient of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, she studied with Prof. David Takeno, earning her master’s and specialist diplomas with highest honors, as well as the prestigious Concert Soloist Diploma.
Since 2004, she has taught at the University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Music, where she earned her doctorate in 2015 and now holds the title of Full Professor of Violin."