LUBECKISCHE BLAETTER , 2002 , num. 11

"... After the break came the sensation ˆ the performance of duo of violist M.Zemtsov and pianist A. Markovitch with Scharwenka‚s Viola Sonata, and finishing with Waxmans‚s Carmen - Fantasy , originally written for violin. His colorfull sound, sure virtuosity and outmost accomplished handling of the viola in it's hardest regions actually urges to use the notion of "Devil-violist" ...."

STAVANGER AFTENBLAD (Norway) November 20th, 2000

"...I felt pleased the most every time the soloist had to play alone. He has such a griping, ‰all- embracing‰ sound, I just wished to stay inside it..."

LUXEMBURGER WORT Tuesday, 16 of December 1997

"...The part of Sancho Panza was superbly mastered by Mikhail Zemtsov and it was to Maisky‚s intelligent interpretation equal in every way..."
    
Mikhail Zemtsov took the first violin lesson from his mother Loudmila  Levinson at the age of 5 , then he studied in the Moscow Tchaikovsky  Conservatory (Prof. G. Odinetz,) and he has got Soloist Diplomas with  Distinction from ABRSM (GB, B. Dinerstein) Hochschuele fuer Musik in  Hamburg (Germany,M. Nichetianu) and Maastricht Conservatory (Netherlands,  M. Kugel)  He began his professional career in 1988 playing in the Moscow  Conservatory and «Ensamble XXI» chamber orchestras.Since 1991 he was a  principal violist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and ENP  Chamber Orchestra teaching at the same time in the «Center of musical  studies and investigations» (Mexico-City). In 1998-2001 M.Zemtsov worked  as Principal Violist in the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, (Norway, Chef  Conducter - F. Bruggen) and as Professor of Viola in Kristiansand  Conservatory. He has given masterclasses in Mexico, Peru, Norway,  Netherlands and Korea. As a guest principal violist he has joined the  London, Luxemburg and Gran Canaria Philaharmonic Orchestras,  Kammersymphonie Berlin and the New European Strings among others.  Mikhail Zemtsov has participated in numerous International Festivals in  European and American continents being chamber music partner of Bella  Davidovitch, Dmitri Sitkovetski, William Purvis, Sara Chang and Alexander  Markovitch among others. He recorded 6CDs with chamber music on Sony  Masterworks, Tower Records, Deutche Welle.  Zemtsovs solo appearances include performances with the Moscow  Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, Lima Philharmonic, New World Chamber  Orchestra,National Symphony of Mexico, Luxembourg Philharmonic (R.Strauss  "Don Quixote" with Misha Maisky as cello soloist), Wiener Volksoper,  Hamburger Symphoniker, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (Norway) ODSO  (Canada), Residence Orchestra (Netherlands) He has performed in Russia,  Germany,Canada, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg,Sweden,  Norway, Mexico, Peru and Korea.  Since 2001 Mikhail Zemtsov is appointed principal violist in the  Residentie Orkest, Den Haag, Holland.  Mikhail Zemtsov is prizewinner of the 1st Int. Viola Competition  in Vienna (Austria) and Elisa Meyer String Competition in Hamburg  (Germany).