The British cellist Steven Isserlis is world famous for his flawless technique and his phenomenal musicality and creativity. As a soloist, he performs with the most well-known international orchestras. He is a regular guest at Wigmore Hall, at 92nd St in New York and at the Salzburg Festival, where he gives recitals and chamber music concerts, partnering Joshua Bell, Isabelle Faust, András Schiff, Stephen Hough, Olli Mustonen, Connie Shih and Richard Egarr. He compiles his programmes according to particular themes such as the exploration of Czech music, the cello’s affinity with the human voice or, as in ›The Cello in Wartime‹, the music of the First World War.
Isserlis’ greatest passion is historical performance practice. He performs with the leading Baroque orchestras and often directs chamber music performances from the cello. An equally fervent advocate and performer of contemporary music, he has worked together with – and performed numerous works by – composers such as John Tavener, Wolfgang Rihm and György Kurtag. In addition, Isserlis is the author of several children’s books and, as a sought-after teacher, gives masterclasses both at the Kronberg Academy and also in his role as Artistic Director of the International Music Course in Prussia Cove, Cornwall.
Isserlis’ discography has won many prizes and includes the Bach Cello Suites, recordings of the great cello concertos, Beethoven’s Cello Sonatas with Robert Levin, Lieux retrouvés with Thomas Adès and Haydn’s Cello Concerto with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.