Steven John Isserlis was born on 19 December 1958 in London into a musical family of Russian-Jewish descent. He studied at the International Cello Centre in Scotland and later at Oberlin College in the United States. He has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide and is equally active as a chamber musician, writer and broadcaster. Since 1997 he has been artistic director of the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove in Cornwall. He is known for playing with gut strings, which contributes to his distinctive, lighter sound.

Isserlis is regarded as one of the leading cellists of his generation and is noted for an unusually broad repertoire that ranges from the Baroque to newly commissioned works. He has premiered pieces by composers including John Tavener, Thomas Adès and György Kurtág, and has done much to revive neglected repertoire, especially by Schumann. He has written several books introducing classical music and composers to children, and broadcasts frequently. He was appointed CBE and has received the Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau and the Wigmore Hall Medal.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Isserlis