Informations
Facts
Born in Münster, Germany
Member since 01.09.1996
Biography
Because he came into the world with big hands, declared a great-uncle, the boy had to learn the cello. This suggestion was gladly taken up by his parents: that was the very instrument lacking for a family string quartet. And so Martin Menking began playing the cello at the age of nine, becoming a pupil of Heinrich Schiff and David Geringas, and going on to win numerous prizes and distinctions. Masterclasses brought him into contact with Yo-Yo Ma, Boris Pergamenschikow, Janos Starker, Siegfried Palm and Isaac Stern, as well as with the Beaux Arts Trio and Alban Berg Quartet, among others.
In 1994 he became assistant principal cellist of the Hamburg Radio (NDR) Symphony Orchestra, and two years later joined the Berliner Philharmoniker. Menking is involved in making chamber music with his colleagues in a number of different formations, most notably the 12 Cellists, of whom he is managing director. Nature and sport help to balance out his professional activities; he enjoys swimming, jogging, badminton, windsurfing and cycling.
Awards
First prize in three »Jugend musiziert« (German national youth) competitions;
grant recipient of the German Music Competition
Ensembles of the Berliner Philharmoniker
