Praised as having "a magnificent personality, a superb energy, a total command and an extremely convincing taste" (La Libre Belgique), young Italian violinist Markus Placci is enjoying a growing international reputation. After a recent performance in Germany, the critics stated "as for depth and musical fantasy, he is second to no one", and hailed his playing for its "verve that takes your breath away", and its "fabulous, singing-like, romantic tone".

Since his solo debut at age 13 with the Bologna Symphony, Mr. Placci has performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States in venues such as the Great Philharmonic Hall and the Sheremetyev Palace in St. Petersburg (Russia), the Kursaal in Baden-Baden, the Teatro Monumental in Madrid, the Auditorium Pollini in Padova, the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, and the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton. 

In September 2005, collaborating with conductor Uwe Mund and the ORTVE Orchestra (Orchestra of the Radio-Television of Spain), Mr. Placci world premiered with great acclaim the Violin Concerto No. 1 written by Catalan composer Jordi Cervello. The concert was broadcasted live from Teatro Monumental in Madrid both on the radio and the national television (tve2). 

This season, Mr. Placci has already appeared with the Bologna Symphony, playing Maestro A.Trovajoli's Concerto for violin "Puppets", and performed the Brahms Concerto at the Opening Gala of the Baden-Baden Philarmonie. Future engagements include Placci's debut with the Milan "Orchestra dei Pomeriggi Musicali" in K. Weill's Violin Concerto, along with recitals and solo concerts in Romania, Italy, Croatia, Spain, France, and the USA.

Winner of the prestigious "XXVI Vittorio Veneto Competition", Mr. Placci was also awarded the "Brahms Preis" and "Baden-Baden Philarmonie Foundation Preis" in Germany, the "Jules C. Reiner Violin Prize" at Tanglewood, and was a top prize winner of the Washington International Competition. 

Along the years, Mr. Placci attended various Masterclasses with artists such as N. Fischer, R. Kussmaul, E. Tchugajeva, P. Frank, M. Quarta, I. Kaler, L.Ciulei and C. Tetzlaff.

His formal education started at the age of 10, when he entered the Bologna Conservatory. Here he was awarded the "Plata Award", and graduated with top grades, "Summa cum laude" and a "Honourable Mention". Later on he studied in Lübeck (Germany) with Zakhar Bron, and consequently moved to Boston, after being offered a full scholarship, in order to study with the late Zinaida Gilels. At The Boston Conservatory, Mr. Placci was also awarded the "Michael A. Alaura Scholarship" and, with the joint support of L. Stoltzman, I. Muresanu, and L. Chang, he graduated with both a Graduate Performance Diploma and, in May 2006, with the prestigious Artist Diploma.

Mr. Placci is currently pursuing his musical career under the guidance of Mela Tenenbaum in New York.

A son of two musicians, Markus Placci plays on a 1871 J.B. Vuillaume violin, copy of the "Alard" Stradivari.