Steven Isserlis

Steven Isserlis (born December 19 1958, London) is one of the most prominent living cellists. He is notable for his diverse repertoire, distinctive sound and total command of phrasing. He studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and was also highly influenced by the great iconoclast of Russian cello playing, Daniil Shafran.

Isserlis plays both as soloist and chamber musician and has rediscovered many previously neglected works. He has also organized a number of festivals with long-term collaborators such as Joshua Bell and Tabea Zimmermann.

He was awarded a CBE in 1998 and the Schumann Prize 2000 by the city of Zwickau. He plays the Feuermann Stradivarius, on loan from The Nippon Music Foundation. He also part-owns a Montagnana cello from 1740 and a Guadagnini cello of 1745, which he played exclusively from 1979 to 1998 and part-owns with David Waterman, cellist of the Endellion Quartet.

He is also the author of two books for children on the lives of famous composers: the first is Why Beethoven Threw the Stew (Faber & Faber, 2001), and the second Why Handel Waggled His Wig (Faber & Faber, 2006).

Isserlis is Artistic Director of the International Musicians Seminar, Prussia Cove in West Cornwall, where he both performs and teaches.

In 2007, Isserlis recorded and released the Bach cello suites for the first time and was awarded a Gramophone Award for this recording.


Steven is the brother of violist Annette Isserlis and violinist Rachel Isserlis and has a son, Gabriel.