Steven Isserlis

British cellist Steven Isserlis was born into a musical family in London on 19 December 1958. He studied in Scotland with Jane Cowan and then with Richard Kapuscinski at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, USA.

In 1988 he asked John Tavener to write a work for cello and orchestra. Isserlis performed Tavener's The Protecting Veil at the BBC Proms with Oliver Knussen conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the later recording became a best-seller. Since then Isserlis' solo career has been very active internationally.

He is committed to authentic performance, and plays on gut strings, which gives a distinctive sound. He also has a very diverse repertoire.

 

A selection of articles about Steven Isserlis

Spotlight. Rococo Charm - Gerald Fenech heartily recommends music by Boccherini, played by Steven Isserlis and friends. '... truly glorious performances ...'

Classical music news. Kosmos Tirana Music Festival - Jonian Ilias Kadesha presents the third edition of his new music festival in Albania

Ensemble. Lyrical Warmth - Dvorák, Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms from Steven Isserlis, Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ask Alice - Steven Isserlis on playing from memory, with comments from Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Impetuous and Ruminative - Music for cello and piano by Schumann, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... imaginative gestures of great power and significance.'

CD Spotlight. Somewhat Lacklustre - Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, heard by Howard Smith. '... a tumultuous, dynamic conclusion.'

Ask Alice - On Steven Isserlis, Agnes Poirier and surrender monkeys, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. A collector's item - Stephen Isserlis and Stephen Hough play Rachmaninov and Franck, admired by John Bell Young. '... the rapport between Mr Isserlis and Mr Hough is on the order of the clairvoyant.'