Marco Misciagna (; born 5 February 1984) is an Italian violinist and Viola internationally renowned for his performances and contributions to classical music.
Biography
Musical education
Marco Misciagna was born in
Bari, Italy.
He graduated at the age of 15 in violin and viola from the Niccolò Piccinni Conservatory of Bari and later obtained the diploma at the National Academy of Santa Cecilia in
Rome.
He was invited by the then-President of the Italian Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi to the
Quirinal Palace in Rome, as the best student of the conservatory.
He studied with Corrado Romano, Eduard Grach and with Đorđe Trkulja (former first violin of
Zagreb Quartet).
Further studies included Salvatore Accardo at the Accademia Stauffer in Cremona,
Boris Belkin and
Yuri Bashmet at the Accademia Chigiana in
Siena, where he was awarded two Honour Diplomas and won the Prize Monte dei Paschi di Siena twice, as best violinist and best violist in the school (first time in the history of the Academy).
Career
In 1999 he won the First Prize for young talented musicians "M. Benvenuti" of
Vittorio Veneto.
For years, he served as a soloist of the Spanish String Orchestra of Màlaga
He has collaborated with Uto Ughi,
He is an honorary principal soloist of the Arkhangelsk State Chamber Orchestra,
In 2018, he received the Gold Medal from the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Kiev Opera House.
He is an Officer of the Volunteer Military Corps of the Italian Red Cross, auxiliary of the Armed Forces, with Decree of the President of the Republic.
Teaching and Academic Positions
He is a viola professor at
Nino Rota Music Conservatory in
Monopoli and an Adjunct professor of violin and viola at the Music and Performing Arts Department of Bilkent University in
Ankara.
He is also an Honorary Professor at S.Rachmaninov State Conservatory in Tambov;
Special Recording Projects and Cultural Initiatives
Marco Misciagna has been involved in various recording projects with philanthropic and cultural purposes. He released a CD, produced by Dynamic and sponsored by the Lions Club, with proceeds donated to a charitable initiative aimed at constructing a multifunctional center for children. He also recorded, as a world premiere with DAD-Records, the
Quintet Op. 128 and
Rhapsody Op. 88 by Raffaele Gervasio, contributing to the revival of lesser-known Italian repertoire.
His CD Album dedicated to Bartolomeo Campagnoli's 41 Caprices for viola op.22, arranged for viola and piano by Carl Albert Tottmann, produced by Brilliant Classics, was awarded of two Global Music Awards Gold Medals.
He participated in the radio program Vite in Musica (13 episodes), broadcast on RaiPlay, which was dedicated to the Italian composer Marco Anzoletti. The program, focusing on the life and works of Anzoletti, featured Misciagna’s performances and interpretations of the composer’s music. Misciagna’s involvement in the broadcast helped bring renewed attention to Anzoletti’s works, offering listeners insight into the composer’s contributions to Italian music.
Discography
Albums
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Note di Solidarietà per Casalnuovo Monterotaro: Works by Henri Wieniawski, Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst and Niccolò Paganini. Dynamic (CDT5065). Marco Misciagna (violin). Released 2003
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Christmas In Classic: Classical Christmas arrangements for violin/viola & guitar. Includes: Joy To The World, Silent Night, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells. Marco Misciagna (violin), Vito Vilardi (guitar). Terramiamusic. Released 2010
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Carulli, Giuliani, Paganini - Includes: Fantasia con variazioni sulle arie de La Gazza Ladra by Ferdinando Carulli; Grand Duo Concertant Op. 85 by Mauro Giuliani; Sonatas Nos. 1, 2 & 6 Op. 2 by Niccolò Paganini. Marco Misciagna (violin), Vito Vilardi (guitar). Digressione Music (DCTT113). Released 2018
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The Curve Of A Day: L'ultima strada di Janusz Korczak (violin) - Canto Per Groznyj (viola). Marco Misciagna (violin, viola). Idyllium. Released 2016
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Sette - Marco Misciagna (violin). Digressione Music (DIGR77). Released 2017
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Chamber and Piano Solo Works, Vol. 3 - Marco Misciagna (viola). IMD. Released 2020
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Beautiful Melodies for Viola and Piano: Works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Georg Benda, Joseph Haydn, Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy. Marco Misciagna (viola). IMD100. Released 2021
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The Greatest Movie Soundtracks for Viola and Piano - Includes: Gabriel's Oboe, Over The Rainbow, Summertime, Last Tango In Paris, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. Marco Misciagna (viola). IMD200. Released 2022
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Maurice Vieux - Complete Music for Unaccompanied Viola (World Premiere Recording): Includes 20 Études (1927); 10 Études sur des traits d'orchestre (1928); 10 Études sur les intervalles (1931); 10 Études nouvelles (1956). Marco Misciagna (viola). Digressione Music (DCTT129). Released 2022
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Bartolomeo Campagnoli: 41 Caprices for Viola, Op. 22, arranged for Viola and Piano by Carl Albert Tottmann. Marco Misciagna (viola). Brilliant Classics (96551). Released 2022
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Federigo Fiorillo: 36 Caprices Op.3 for Violin, Transcribed for Viola by Marco Misciagna. Marco Misciagna (viola). Brilliant Classics (97018). Released 2023
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Albrecht Blumenstengel: 24 Etudes Op.33 for Violin, Transcribed for Viola by Marco Misciagna. Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2023
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Richard Hofmann: 15 Studies Op.87 for Viola, Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2024
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Francesco Paolo Supriani: 12 Toccatas for Cello, Transcribed for Viola by Marco Misciagna. Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2024
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Émile Poilleux: 20 Études chantantes et caractéristiques for Violin, Transcribed for Viola by Marco Misciagna. Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2024
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Antonio Bartolomeo Bruni: 25 Etudes for Viola (World Premiere Recording). Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2024
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Franz Anton Hoffmeister: 12 Etudes for Viola. Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2025
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Agustín Barrios Mangoré: Compositions Arranged for Viola Solo by Marco Misciagna - Julia Florida; Las Abejas; Canción de Cuna; Leyenda de España; La Catedral (I. Preludio Saudade, II. Andante Religioso, III. Allegro Solemne); Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios; Preludio; Capricho Español; Gavota al Estilo Antiguo; Villancico de Navidad. Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2025
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Georg Abraham Schneider: 6 Solos for Viola, Op. 19 & Variations, Op. 44 (arranged for viola by Marco Misciagna). Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2025
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Alessandro Rolla: Complete Works for Solo Viola, BI. 310–322 – Intonazione No. 1 in C Major, BI 310; Esercizio (Caprice) No. 2 in E-flat Major, BI 311; Intonazione No. 2 in F Major, BI 312; Esercizio (Caprice) No. 1 in F Major, BI 313; Esercizio e Arpeggio (Caprice) No. 3 in G Major, BI 314; Giro Armonico, BI 315; Andante patetico (Vaccaj: Giulietta e Romeo, Act III), BI 316; Andante (Rossini: Demetrio e Polibio, Quartet), BI 317; Romanza e Preghiera (Rossini: Otello), BI 318; Cavatina: Nel furor delle tempeste (Bellini: Il Pirata), BI 319; Meco tu vieni (Bellini: La Straniera), BI 320; Tu vedrai la sventurata (Bellini: Il Pirata), BI 321; Duetto: Pietosa al padre (Bellini: Il Pirata), BI 322. Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2025
EPs & Singles
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Bohemian Rhapsody, Arranged for Viola Solo by Marco Misciagna (Live). MM. Released 2024
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Tico-Tico no Fubá, Arranged for Viola Solo by Marco Misciagna (Live). MM. Released 2024
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Samba for Viola Solo (Live), music by Marco Misciagna. MM. Released 2024
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Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Passacaglia for Solo Viola, Arranged by Marco Misciagna (Live). MM. Released 2024
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Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata No.1, BWV 1001, Transcribed for Viola by Marco Misciagna (Live). MM. Released 2024
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Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata & Fugue BWV 565, Arranged for Viola by Marco Misciagna (Live). MM. Released 2024
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Marco Anzoletti: Four Etudes for Viola Solo - Etudes No. 2 & 5 (1919) / Etudes No. 2 & 11 Op.125 (1929). Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2024
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Jiří Herold: Etudes for Viola (World Premiere Recording). Marco Misciagna (viola). MM. Released 2025
Original compositions and arrangements
Original compositions
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Two Flamenco Caprices for unaccompanied viola - El vito / Malagueña (also a version for unaccompanied violin)
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Introduction and Variations on the Theme Mer Hayrenik (Armenian National Anthem) for unaccompanied viola
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Morricone Film Suite for solo viola (Suite in 8 movements, homage to Ennio Morricone)
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Viola Blues for unaccompanied viola
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6 Jazz Viola Preludes for unaccompanied viola (1-Ragtime, 2-Cafè Concerto, 3-Ragtime Boogie, 4-Ballade, 5-J.S.Bach Joke, 6-Jazz Viola Prelude)
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Jerusalem Fantasy for unaccompanied viola (homage to A.Vinitsky)
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Samba for unaccompanied viola
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Star Wars Suite for unaccompanied viola (homage to John Williams)
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Jazz Caprices for unaccompanied viola
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3 Pieces, Homage to Charlie Byrd for unaccompanied viola (1-Swing'59, 2-Blues for Felix, 3-Spanish Viola Blues)
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Fantasia on the Irish folk song "The last rose of summer" : for violin and piano / Romolo Pio Misciagna; (revision and violin cadence by Marco Misciagna)
Arrangements
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Isaac Albéniz: Asturias for viola solo (from: Suite española No. 1, for piano, op. 47) / Rumores de la Caleta for viola solo (from Recuerdos de viaje, for piano, op. 71)
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Francisco Tárrega: Tango, Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Capricho árabe for viola (original for guitar)
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Fernando Sor: Andante - Duo for One viola (from: 24 leçons progressives, for guitar, op. 31)
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Manuel De Falla: Danza del molinero from El sombrero de tres picos for viola
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Julio Salvador Sagreras: El colibrí (The Hummingbird) for viola
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Jacques Bittner: Suite for Viola
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Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach: Pedal Excercition, for viola;
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Agustín Barrios Mangoré: La Catedral / Julia Florida (original for guitar) for viola solo;
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Agustín Barrios Mangoré: Compositions Arranged for Viola Solo (Las Abejas, Canción de Cuna, Leyenda de España, Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios, Preludio, Capricho Español, Gavota al Estilo Antiguo, Villancico de Navidad)
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Georg Abraham Schneider: Variations Op. 44 (original for flute) for viola solo
Awards
His awards include:
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2017 - Award “Arte, Sport e territorio” – Excellence from Puglia.
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2019 - International Award "Fontane di Roma" (37th edition)
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2019 - Elmo Prize "Stories of Ordinary Culture"
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2019 - International Prize - Gold Medal "Maison des Artistes" (Sapienza University of Rome);
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2019 - Constantinus Magnus International Award (Constantinian Nemagnic Order of St.Stephen);
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2019 - “Vigna d’Argento” Award (Palazzo Montecitorio, Chamber of Deputies, Rome);
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2019 - International Award "Duchess Lucrezia Borgia"
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2019 - City of Naples International Award for Art, Culture and Fashion, 9th Edition Academy Oscar.
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2019 - “Cicero Award” (Fondazione “Marco Tullio Cicerone”)
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2019 - Vincenzo Crocitti Award (“VINCE International”, Rome)''
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2019 - Gold Histonium Award
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2019 - Mona Lisa Award 2019
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2020 - Ubaldo Lay Award
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2020 - The "Silver Chimera" 2020 award
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2021 - National Award "Silver Eagle"
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2024 - Gold Medal in the artistic sector of Norman Academy
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2024 - Gold Medal (Best Classical) awarded to CD Album "Campagnoli: 41 Caprices for Viola Op.22, arranged for Viola & Piano by Carl Albert Tottman", Global Music Awards (La Jolla, California)
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2024 - Gold Medal (Best Duo) awarded to CD Album "Campagnoli: 41 Caprices for Viola Op.22, arranged for Viola & Piano by Carl Albert Tottman", Global Music Awards (La Jolla, California)
Honors
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Silver Jubilee Merit Medal of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George conferred on 16/04/2016;
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Silver Medal of Merit for the 300th anniversary of the Bolla Militantis Ecclesiae promulgated by Pope Clement XI” of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George conferred on 27/05/2018;
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Gold Medal "In Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the National Opera of Ukraine" (May 2018)
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Honorary Citizenship of the City of Ayvalık – Turkey (February 2018)
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Honorary Citizenship of Guardia Piemontese – Italy (December 2019)
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Medal for Cooperation in Ukraine. No. 988 - 2 November 2020
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Medal of the Order of St. George Ukraine. No.1725 – 2 November 2020
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Honorable Visitor of the City of Santiago de Cuba
External links
