Belarusian-born American clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov [pronounced: sh-TRY-koff] is quickly gaining renown as an artist of remarkable charisma and extraordinary musicianship, and has been hailed for “clarity that’s viscerally breathtaking” (Lucid Culture). In a review of his debut album MusicWeb International wrote "Shtrykov plays with a luscious, liquid tone of which I am sure Brahms would have approved."

A recipient of the Artists International Special Presentation Award, Maksim made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall's intimate Weill Recital Hall in 2007. A passionate advocate of clarinet music, he is on a continuous quest of expanding his instrument’s repertoire, bringing to light rarely performed masterpieces by forgotten masters, and pushing the boundaries of the instrument with his transcriptions of the string and woodwind repertoire.

A recipient of the Artists International Special Presentation Award, Maksim made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall's intimate Weill Recital Hall in 2007. A passionate advocate of clarinet music, he is on a continuous quest of expanding his instrument’s repertoire, bringing to light rarely performed masterpieces by forgotten masters, and pushing the boundaries of the instrument with his transcriptions of the string and woodwind repertoire.

Among his most recent highlights is a release of the debut album “Epilogues” recorded in collaboration with his duo partner, acclaimed Japanese pianist Misuzu Tanaka. The Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo explores four clarinet sonatas, which were the final chamber works of three leading composers – Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saëns and Francis Poulenc. Each of these composers chose the clarinet as an ultimate outlet of their genius, referring to its rich sound and soulful expression in the late stage of their lives and entrusting in it a lifetime of wisdom and experience. Their fondness for these works have generated critical acclaim from North American and U.K. press: “clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka serve up world-class performances of these works that yield nothing to competing catalog versions” (Classics Today)  “there is a real affection behind the enterprise: affection for the composers and between the musicians.” (MusicWeb International)

In the past seasons, Maksim appeared with the Amadeus Festival Orchestra and gave numerous concerts around the country with appearances on the Northeast Kingdom Classical Series (VT), Roche Visiting Artist Series (PA), Chamber Music Society of Maryland, Summer Stars Classical Series (NJ), Parrish Art Museum Series (NY), Black Hills Chamber Music Society (SD), Cedarhurst Chamber Music (IL), Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society (CA), Rochester Institute of Technology Artist Series, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts (IL), Shorter University’s Guest Artist Series (GA), and Summer Stars Classical Series (NJ) among many others.

In the past year, he has begun touring Japan with Misuzu Tanaka, and this season he will collaborate with members of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in trio and quintet performances. Other performances this season include a European tour with appearances on “Les Piano Folies du Touquet” in France as well as a series of concerts in Hungary at the opening concert of the 3rd International Cello Festival in the Kodály Conservatory of Törökszentmiklós as well as Nádor Hall in Budapest.

Maksim is a prizewinner of many competitions including the Dmytro Bida International Woodwind Competition in Ukraine, International Johannes Brahms Chamber Music Competition in Poland, and “Salieri - Zinetti” International Chamber Music Competition in Italy.

Maksim Shtrykov began clarinet studies in his native Belarus, becoming the first Belarusian clarinetist to be accepted to The Juilliard School where he was awarded a degree of Master of Music as a scholarship student in the celebrated studio of Charles Neidich.