The best recordings of Steven Isserlis

Five of the best recordings by distinguished British cellist Steven Isserlis

Freya Parr

Published: October 4, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Bach Cello Suites

This long-awaited reading of the cellist’s ‘Bible’ found Isserlis delving behind each Suite to find its religious correlatives.

Hyperion CDA67541/2

Tavener The Protecting Veil with LSO/Rozhdestvensky

This mystic Minimalist work, written for Isserlis in 1987, made him famous. His silvery timbre and re-creation of Tavener’s vision is unrivalled.

Virgin 363 2932

Schumann Cello Concerto and other works with German Chamber Philharmonic/Eschenbach

His intuitive response to Schumann’s mercurial character pays dividends here in performances lit by an inimitable fluidity and a dizzying range of tone.

RCA 09026688002

Mendelssohn Complete works for cello and piano with Melvyn Tan

A happy partnership with fortepianist Melvyn Tan produced this utterly delightful set of Mendelssohn performances.

RCA 09026625532

Brahms Cello Sonatas with Stephen Hough

A tour de force of energy and narrative conviction, in which Isserlis ensures that every note and phrase have meaning.

Hyperion CDA67529

Freya Parr

Digital Editor and Staff Writer, BBC Music Magazine

Freya Parr is BBC Music Magazine's digital editor and staff writer, editing and writing on all styles of music across both the website and print magazine. She has also written for titles including the Guardian, Circus Journal, Frankie and Suitcase Magazine, and runs The Noiseletter, a fortnightly arts and culture publication. Freya's main areas of interest and research lie in 20th-century and contemporary music. She's a regular sea shanty singer, folk obsessive and occasional flautist, pianist, organist and musical theatre director.
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