To become an excellent cellist takes practice, but becoming famous also takes luck. It is often said, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” History’s famous cello players show how true this is.
When it comes to learning the cello, listening to professional cellists and studying their work is one of the best ways to eventually master this instrument. This is because there is a lot to learn from those who have succeeded before us.
To help inspire you and your musical journey, I’ve highlighted some of the most famous cello players of all time. This list includes 18 of the best cello players from past and present, from Luigi Boccherini to Yo-Yo Ma. I include information about their background and focus on some of their greatest accomplishments.
Below, discover some of the greatest cellists and get to know their famous works. Add their masterpieces to your repertoire, challenging yourself to imitate their techniques and styles, and you’re sure to see your own cello skills improve over time.
Early Cellists
Before recorded music cellists made a living as court musicians for rich benefactors in a patronage system. These musicians worked as composers and teachers just like cellists today.
The cello was seen as an accompaniment instrument for a long time. Then, several cellists expanded the cello’s repertoire. These cellists are famous because they added to the knowledge of the instrument. They wrote down their techniques as sheet music for future generations. The first cello technique books were published in the mid-1700s.
1. Luigi Boccherini (19 February 1743 – 28 May 1805)
Luigi Boccherini, best known for the Minuet from String Quintet in E, was an Italian cello virtuoso and composer. His first teacher was his father, but Boccherini later studied and worked in Spain, Rome, and France.
While touring Europe, Boccherini would take over for violinists if they became sick, by playing their music at the same range! This technique is reflected in his solo works with very high passages, such as the Concerto in B flat, as well as his 141 string quintets for two violins, viola, and two cellos.
2. Jean-Pierre Duport (27 November 1741 – 31 December 1818)
Jean-Pierre Duport is one of the founding members of the “French School” of playing. He and his brother Jean-Louis used a style with very nuanced and lyrical bow technique, shown in Jean-Louis’ “21 etudes for violoncello.” The Duport brothers inspired Beethoven’s first two cello sonatas while working for the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm II.
3. Bernhard Romberg (November 13, 1767 – August 13, 1841)
Bernhard Romberg is a famous cello player credited for inventing the extended fingerboard of the modern cello. The cello’s fingerboard may only have gone as high as the first harmonic before this change. He also invented the first 3/4 size cellos for younger students.
4. Friedrich Dotzauer (20 January 1783 – 6 March 1860)
Friedrich Dotzauer is the founder of the “German School” of playing, and wrote a hugely influential book of etudes titled Violoncellschule, consisting of 113 exercises and caprices.
His student, Friedrich August Kummer (5 August 1797 – 22 August 1879) wrote his own book of exercises, Violoncello School for Preliminary Instruction Op. 60, which is still considered a benchmark for beginner cellists.
5. David Popper (June 16, 1843 – August 7, 1913)
Another German cellist, David Popper wrote the most widely used etude book for advanced students, High School of Cello Playing (Op. 73), which further expanded the cello’s technical capabilities. As one of the greatest cellists, Popper also composed many works for solo cello, including four concertos, Tarantella, and Hungarian Rhapsody, among others.
20th Century Cellists
The first recording of cello was made in 1900 by Boston cellist, Alexander Heindl with composer Anton Rubinstein. Recording technology opened the door for cellists to gain an audience outside of live performances. And this helped spread classical music, which made these musicians even more famous.
These cellists are remembered not only for their musicianship, but also for expanding the cello’s repertoire, being active international citizens, and teaching other cellists to play beyond the classical style.
6. Pablo Casals (29 December 1876 – 22 October 1973)
Pablo Casals was a Spanish cellist most famous for his 1936-1939 recordings of the Bach Suites. The Suites were thought of as an inferior technique book and largely disregarded when Casals found a used copy in Barcelona at the age of thirteen.
His recordings brought new life to the Suites, which are now a major part of every cellist’s repertoire. Casals is considered the bridge from the late Romantic to contemporary styles of cello playing.
7. Leonard Rose (July 27, 1918 – November 16, 1984)
Leonard Rose was an American cello musician who, by the age of 21, earned the title of principal cellist for the Cleveland Orchestra. And just five years later, he became principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic. Rose later collaborated with several prominent conductors on many magnificent solo recordings. However, he is perhaps most celebrated for his work as a music teacher, as he tutored some of the greatest cellists of our time.
8. Paul Tortelier (21 March 1914 – 18 December 1990
Paul Tortelier was a talented French cellist at a young age, as he joined Conservatoire de Paris when he was only 12 years old. He went on to perform with many orchestras, such as Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His solo performance of Richard Strauss’ “Don Quixote” became one of his most beloved recordings, but he also composed a symphony, two sonatas, a concerto, and a cello suite in D.
9. Jacqueline du Pre (26 January 1945 – 19 October 1987)
Jacqueline du Pre was an English cellist. She’s famous for her iconic 1965 recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto.
Her energetic and dramatic performance style was a natural fit for Elgar. And as a result, she performed the piece over the world. Jackie married conductor Daniel Barenboim in 1967, forming a classical music power couple.
Her performing career was sadly cut short in 1973 by multiple sclerosis. She dedicated her life to music. In her final years, she enjoyed teaching others and working on her own editions of sheet music.
10. Fred Katz (25 February 1919 – 7 September 2013)
Although his career started in classical music as a student of Pablo Casals, Fred Katz is the pioneer of jazz cello. Katz’s style, premiered in Chico Hamilton’s Quintet, helped pave the way for future jazz cellists. These cellists include Mark Summer (Turtle Island Quartet) and Jacob Szekely (JS3).
Katz used arco for melodies, unlike previous cellists who only imitated the sounds of the bass through slapping and pizzicato.
11. Mstislav Rostropovich (27 March 1927 – 27 April 2007)
Mstislav Rostropovich is considered the greatest cellist of the 20th century. If your teacher studied with one of his students, they will be sure to mention it (with good reason).
Rostropovich played with an inimitable sound. He sound stood up against even the largest symphonies. He commissioned more works for cello than any musician before or since. And he also premiered over 117 original compositions.
Although he received more than 50 honors, titles, and awards (including Grammy awards and knighthoods), Rostropovich said his greatest achievement was, “the endless love I have for people. It gives me great energy.”
Modern Cellists
Many famous cellists have found their own way to gain recognition as recording technology improved and distribution made the musical world more connected. Some have explored other genres, bringing the cello to a larger audience. Others use historical research to improve performance practice or education methods.
12. Yo-Yo Ma (born 7 October 1955)
Yo-Yo Ma is the most famous cellist in the world today. He’s known for recording a huge variety of musical genres and expanding the recognition and appreciation of cello all over the world. Yo-Yo has recorded over 90 albums and appeared on countless radio, TV, and film programs.
Where some cellists would dip their toe into other genres, Ma fully immerses the cello into every project. His work includes folk music (American Bluegrass, Chinese traditional, and Argentinian tango), collaborations with jazz singer Bobby McFerrin, film music of John Williams, and many more.
13. Lynn Harrell (January 30, 1944 – April 27, 2020)
Lynn Harrell was an American cellist known for his rich, incredible sound and extensive performance history. His career lasted over six decades, and included hundreds of concerts around the world every single year. Harrell won the first ever Avery Fischer Prize for classical music, as well as two Grammy Awards for chamber music.
ize for classical music, as well as two Grammy Awards for chamber music.
14. Natalia Gutman (born 14 November 1942)
Natalia Gutman is a female cello player from Russia. She started playing the cello at the age of five, studying with her stepfather and grandfather, who were both cellists themselves. Gutman attended Central Music School at the Moscow Conservatory and later joined several symphonies, including the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic and Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1990, she and her husband founded the highly renowned International Music Festival Kreuth.
15. Sol Gabetta (born 18 April 1981)
Sol Gabetta is an Argentine musician who began her musical endeavors at the age of three, studying both the violin and cello. She later turned her attention solely to the cello and soon began winning various musical competitions and awards. In 2015, she released an album called “Presence,” which includes compositions that composer Pēteris Vasks wrote specifically for her. Today, this much-celebrated female cello player teaches at Basel Music Academy and performs on an antique cello from 1759!
16. Steven Isserlis (born 19 December 1958)
Steven Isserlis is a British cellist known for his performance practice and educational books. Isserlis performs using instruments and techniques authentic to the time period of the music. For instance, gut strings rather than steel wound strings for Baroque music.
He has published several children’s books: Why Beethoven Threw the Stew (2001), and Why Handel Waggled His Wig (2006), as well as Robert Schumann’s Advice to Young Musicians Revisited by Steven Isserlis (2016).
Digital Cellists
The internet has revolutionized the way music is distributed and discovered. It has revolutionized how musicians communicate with their audience. And it has allowed independent musicians to release their own professional albums.
The prevalence of high quality video recording and open access to streaming services has created more opportunity for musicians than ever before. And these famous cello players are only some of the first to become stars in the digital age.
17. Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser
2Cellos is a duet of classically trained cellists Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser. Their first viral video hit, a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” gained over three million views in just two weeks.
The duo has produced four studio albums and recorded with musicians such as Elton John, Lang Lang, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Šulić and Hauser, although best known for covers of modern music, still perform and compete in the classical world.
18. Pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Nelson
The Piano Guys are a group from Utah. The group was originally formed by Paul Anderson to promote his piano store. Pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Nelson play original and genre crossing arrangements by music producer Al van der Beek, set to elaborate music videos directed by Anderson.
Their music is known for its classical and contemporary mashups, such as Winter by Vivaldi and “Let it Go” from Frozen. They’re also known for spectacular music video locations (such as a 1000-foot cliff and atop a speeding train).
The List of Famous Cello Players Continues…
This list of famous cello players is far from exhaustive. And it’s even further from inclusive. The history of the cello is rooted in a culture which has long excluded women and BIPOC musicians. However, the opportunities presented in the digital age mean any cellist has the chance to become famous.
I hope learning the stories of the few famous cello players listed here inspires you to make your own mark on the world. And that you’ll prepare for your next lucky opportunity to make great music.
Cello Lessons
If you want to follow in the footsteps of these best cello players, you might be wondering, is the cello hard to learn? Well, it depends. Much like any other instrument or skill, you must dedicate time and effort toward mastering this instrument. Without this kind of commitment, your music skills may not progress. If you’re looking to get yourself on the right track, it might be time to turn to cello lessons.
Here at TakeLessons, we offer private sessions where you can receive personalized instruction from a certified cello tutor. Need to start with the basics? Or want to learn more difficult cello pieces? Our tutors can help! Sign up for lessons with us today to learn this instrument inside and out.
William Crider