Xenia Jankovic

Xenia Jankovic Celebrated for her brilliant qualities as a first class cellist, Xenia Jankovic carries out a worldwide career as soloist, chamber musician and pedagogue.

Born into a family of Russian and Serbian musicians, Xenia debuted with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra at age nine. From the beginning of her career, her teachers of most important influence were Mstislav Rostropovich, Pierre Fournier, André Navara, György Sebök and Sándor Végh.

The public and critics alike have enthusiastically acclaimed Jankovic’s recitals in world famous concert halls as well as her concerts as soloist with orchestras such as The London Philharmonic, Budapest Philharmonic, Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestras and the Madrid Radio, RSO Berlin and Copenhagen Radio Orchestras. She has recorded for CPO, Saphir, Channel Classics, PGP, Melism, Indésens and Calliope Records.

Xenia continues to inspire many composers to write music for her instrument. She has premiered many works by Serbian composers in particular, and has recorded and worked on editions of the pieces written for her.

Xenia Jankovic is a member of the Hamlet Piano Trio, who saw in last years the release of Beethoven, Schubert and Mendelssohn piano trios with Channel Classics. She is also cellist of the Uriel Quartet, whose focus is on the works of Beethoven and Bartók. The quartets homage is to the great musician Sándor Végh, who was of crucial importance to the musical inspiration of all four members.

In recent times, Jankovic has found a great interest in revisiting repertoire from earlier years, working profoundly on cycles from one composer in many settings. Returning for example to all Beethoven or Mendelssohn works (including sonatas, trios and quartets). Exploring works that she has performed regularly in her career has led her to a different approach to performance. This includes playing on old and modern instruments, with and without gut strings, using baroque, classical and modern bows and playing together with period instruments, such as Pianoforte ranging from early to mid 19th century, especially fitting to Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann or Mendelssohn.

Jankovic was the artistic director of the chamber music Festival Musikdorf Ernen from 2006 until 2017. In 2018 she founded Inspirimus Academy as a reflection of her artistic, pedagogical and spiritual work in order to gather young artists and help them to engage in art and life in a more profound and creative way.

Xenia Jankovic is a passionate teacher, and has been Professor at the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold since 2004. She was a professor in Würzburg from 1989-2004, at the Music Academy in Belgrade from 1989-91 and at the Music Academy in Zagreb from 1985-1989.