Steven Isserlis

Acclaimed worldwide for his technique and musicianship, British cellist Steven Isserlis enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician and educator. Highlights of recent seasons have included performances with the Berlin Philharmonic and Gilbert, the Philharmonia Orchestra and Schiff, the Orchestre de Paris and Jarvi, Cleveland Orchestra and Ton Koopman, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra and Zinman, Washington National Symphony and Ashkenazy, Swedish Radio Symphony, Vienna Symphony and NHK Symphony.

Other highlights include play-direct projects with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields; recitals with Olli Mustonen, Stephen Hough and Jeremy Denk; performances of Beethoven’s complete sonatas and variations for cello and keyboard; and residency at London’s Wigmore Hall in which he appeared as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician as well as leading a number of educational events. In addition, Isserlis has played with many of the foremost period instrument orchestras, and a keen exponent of contemporary music.

Writing and playing for children is another major interest. His books about the lives of the great composers - Why Beethoven Threw the Stew and its sequel, Why Handel Waggled his Wig have been translated into many languages. He has recorded a CD with Stephen Hough entitled Children’s Cello. He has written and published three “musical tales”. Isserlis also gives frequent master-classes, and for the past 14 years he has been Artistic Director of the International Musicians’ Seminar.

With an award-winning discography Steven Isserlis’s recordings reflect his diverse repertoire. His recording of the complete Bach Solo Cello Suites for Hyperion received the highest acclaim, and was Gramophone magazine’s Instrumental Disc of the Year and Critic’s Choice at the Classical Brits. Other releases include an all-Schumann disc for Hyperion, and reVisions: a recording of works for cello and chamber orchestra for BIS.

The recipient of many honours, Steven Isserlis was awarded a CBE in 1998 and in 2000 he received the Schumann Prize. He plays the Marquis de Corberon (Nelsova) Stradivarius of 1726, kindly loaned to him by the Royal Academy of Music.