Steven Isserlis

Hyperion Records recently released the disc I made with the harpsichordist Richard Egarr of Bach’s sonatas for viola da gamba and keyboard, coupled with arrangements for cello of sonatas for violin and continuo by Handel and Scarlatti (with Robin Michael kindly supplying the cello continuo). To my surprise, some people have questioned, not why I […] Read more…

Jane Cowan (1915-1996). This is a LONG tribute to my former teacher – but I feel that I owe her that at least, since she was my formative influence, and an irreplaceable personality. Here goes: Read more…

  Since I have been persuaded – after much resistance – to work up the Bach suites again, not having performed them (apart from no 3 very occasionally) since I recorded them over 7 years ago, I thought that I might jot down a few thoughts about playing them. Of course, everybody seems to want […] Read more…

In the Shadow of War (BIS-1992 SACD) – liner notes Read more…

  I was sixteen when I first attended the International Musicians’ Seminar at Prussia Cove, Cornwall, on the south-west tip of England. I had heard many stories about the seminar’s founder, the great Hungarian violinist and teacher (and later conductor) Sandor Vegh – about his amazing musicianship, his fearsome temper and his extraordinary looks. But […] Read more…

  Why is it that so much Czech music is loveable in such a unique way?  What quality is it that causes the listener immediately to trust composers such as Dvorak and Martinu, to feel such a deep empathy with them? Perhaps it is a silly question; in a way, one always feels empathy with […] Read more…

Article which was published in the Score, the magazine for friends of the Wigmore Hall, about Steven’s upcoming projects there. Read more…

This article appeared in the ‘Best Books’ section of the Week magazine in September 2011 Read more…

Article which appeared in the Gramophone in February 2009 about Steven’s 50th birthday celebration. Read more…

Steven wrote several articles about his hero Robert Schumann for the latter’s bi-centenary last year. This one appeared on guardian.co.uk on Thursday 1 July 2010. A version appeared on p7 of the Film & music section of the Guardian on Friday 2 July 2010. Read more…