Levon Chilingirian

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Levon Chilingirian (born 28 May 1948, Nicosia) is a UK-based violinist. The founder of the Chilingirian Quartet, he is also a professor at the Royal College of Music in London and is musical director of Camerata Nordica, a Swedish chamber orchestra.

Born to Armenian parents in Cyprus, Chilingirian began playing the violin when he was five, being taught by his uncle. He came to Britain when he was 12 and studied at the Royal College of Music. He won first prize in the BBC Beethoven and the Munich Duo competitions in 1969 and 1971 respectively.

In 1971 he founded the Chilingirian Quartet, which has developed a particularly strong association with a number of composers, including John Tavener and Michael Berkeley.

In addition to teaching, playing and recording, Chilingirian’s interest in the work of Edvard Grieg led to his own edition of the composer's incomplete Quartet in F major.

In the New Years Honours 2000, Chilingirian was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to Music.