Maxim Alexandrovich Vengerov (born 20 August 1974) is a Russian-born Israeli violinist, violist, and conductor. Classic FM has called him “one of the greatest violinists in the world.” He sang in his mother's choir from the age of three. He began studying the violin at age 5 with Galina Turchaninova, a famous violin teacher. Upon meeting the child, she asked: "Do you have strength in these hands?" The five-year-old punched her in the stomach, as hard as he could. He said years later: "Fortunately, she was in a good mood that day, and she accepted as a student."

At the age of 10, Vengerov won the 1984 International Karol Lipiński and Henryk Wieniawski Young Violin Player Competition. That year he recorded on the leading Russian record label, Melodiya, on LP stereo. At age 11 as part of the Tchaikovsky Competition opening concert he recorded again on LP, but digital. Then when he went to London he recorded his first CD, for Biddulph Records.