Hailed by The Times as "an authentic, though British, virtuoso" Matthew Trusler graduated from Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music in 1998. Following the release of Matthew's disc – Blues – The Daily Telegraph declared that "Trusler assumes the Heifetz (and Perlman) mantle with ease". A passionate lover of the style and approach to violin playing during the Heifetz era, Trusler performs with one of Heifetz's bows, given to him by Herbert Axelrod (who himself received it from Heifetz).

Trusler has a particular affinity for the composers of that period, receiving much acclaim for his performances of concertos by Walton, Berg, Britten, Prokofiev and Korngold.

"Matthew Trusler has been attracting the kind of praise normally reserved for a young Oistrakh", The IndependentMatthew Trusler has been invited to perform as a recitalist and concerto soloist throughout Europe, Australia, the USA, Japan and South Africa. In the UK he has performed with most of the major orchestras, and has appeared further afield with the Minnesota Orchestra, NDR Hanover, Helsinki Philharmonic, Deutsche Symphony Berlin, Malaysian Philharmonic and Johannesburg Philharmonic. Some of his personal highlights include tours with the Australian orchestras (including appearances in Perth, Queensland and Tasmania), a tour of Germany with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Sir Neville Marriner, and a tour of Mexico with Martyn Brabbins and the Philharmonia.

Alongside his concerto work Matthew Trusler is an accomplished recitalist and an avid chamber musician. Trusler has performed frequently with Wayne Marshall, and the duo"s recent disc '“ Blues '“presents a collection of short pieces by composers directly influenced by jazz. The CD was released to huge critical acclaim, including CD of the week in The Telegraph, CD of the week on Classic FM, and Recital CD of the month in Strad Magazine. Collaborations with other eminent musicians have included Piotr Anderszewski, Martin Roscoe, Peter Donohoe, Imogen Cooper, Leonidas Kavakos, Lynn Harrell, and Joseph Silverstein. Trusler has performed recitals in leading venues around the world including the Wigmore Hall in London, the Auditorium du Louvre in Paris, and the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels.

Future collaborations include a recording of violin and viola repertoire with Lawrence Power, trio performances with Guy Johnston and Huw Watkins, and several film collaborations with conductor and composer Carl Davis, including the world premiere of Davis' piece for violin and orchestra, Anne Frank Remembered.

Trusler founded Orchid Classics in 2005 as a creative extension to his love of performance. Distributed internationally by Naxos, the label is developing projects with artists including Joan Rodgers, Guy Johnston, James Gilchrist and Lawrence Power. Trusler's new recording of violin concertos by Korngold and Rozsa, with the Dusseldorf Symphony under Yasuo Shinozaki, will be released this September. Orchid Classics supports The Lenny Trusler Children's Foundation (LTCF) of which Trusler is a Founder.

Trusler has a passion for film, and has recently acted as a consultant on the adaptation of Norman Lebrecht's novel The Song of Names for film, the screenplay being written by Jeffrey Caine (Oscar Nominee for The Constant Gardener). Earlier this year, Trusler recorded the violin solos for the soundtrack of a new French film by director Frédéric Mermoud, Complices.

Matthew Trusler holds a teaching post at the Malmö Academy in Sweden and lives in Paris with his wife and young daughter. He plays a 1711 Stradavarius.

Photograph © Sheila Rock