Teachers 2008

V.Despalj • J.Kullberg • R.Latzko • A.Bylsma

Anner Bylsma, 1959 winner of the Pablo Casals Competition, is that rare player in the world of classical music, a performer who is equally comfortable on a period instrument and a modern instrument. Bylsma plays regularly with such diverse groups and chamber orchestras as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; Tafelmusik ; the Australian Chamber Orchestra; the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment ; the Freiburger Barock; and Rondom, a chamber ensemble specializing in music of the twentieth century.

A noted recitalist and soloist, Anner Bylsma performs frequently throughout Europe, the Americas, Australasia, Russia, and Japan, appearing as a guest soloist with some of the world's finest orchestras. He has played in virtually all of the major early music series in the United States and Canada. A gifted teacher of both the baroque and modern cellos, Bylsma has presented master classes at the Paris Conservatory, the Berlin Hochschule, and The Juilliard School in New York City.

The child of passionate musicians, Anner Bylsma studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. For six years, he was principal cellist of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. Since 1982, he has taught at Harvard University, while also teaching at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Bylsma received an honorary doctorate from New England Conservatory in 1995.

Bylsma's recordings of solo and chamber works have received numerous prizes, including the Edison prize, the Diapason d'or, the Liszt prize, and the Vivaldi prize.

Bylsma is the author of Bach the Fencing Master, which is about the first three of Bach's cello suites.

Teachers in previous years

Anner Bylsma • Mats Lidström • Ralph Kirshbaum
Morten Zeuthen • Bjorn Bantock