Cellist of the Month: Stephen Balderston

While I was away, serving Marrowstone Summer Music Festival as their Student Life Coordinator this month, I had the pleasure of receiving a lesson from Stephen Balderston.  He frequently serves as a performer, and chamber and section coach for music festivals such as Marrowstone.  Mr. Balderston is a wonderful cellist and teacher. I could tell this even from just the brief time I spent with him. To read more about my lesson with him, click here.

Mr. Balderston plays with such a beautiful and confident tone! I'm super jealous and inspired, as I hope you are too, to practice even better to achieve this sound through my cello. Please take the time to watch the videos below, as I know you'll agree with me! 



A little about Stephen Balderston:

• Currently a faculty member of DePaul School of Music.
• 10 years as Assistant Principal Cello for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• 10 years with Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
• Received his Bachelor's and Master's of Music from Julliard after studying under the great Lynn Harrell
• Has performed with Yo-Yo Ma!
• He is the cellist for the Evanston Chamber Ensemble and a founding member of Callisto Ensemble in Chicago.

Other Stephen Balderston videos to watch:  (Take note of his bow hold and posture!)

• Schuman Quartet for Piano and Strings
• Dvorak Concerto
• Masterclass Part 1
• Masterclass Part 2

Mr. Isserlis (Wikipedia) is a British cellist with quite a mop of hair on his head! Aside from his mastery of phrasing and use of gut strings on his cello, I think his hair is his most distinguishing feature! :-)  Steven began cello lessons at the age of 4 and through his first teacher, fell in love with the instrument. He moved to America to attend Oberlin College (very prestigious for musicians).  Now he performs all around the world, most especially in Europe, as well as writes!  He is the author of several enchanting little children's books. (Amazon) 

I love to watch youtube videos of his Masterclasses. Here is a snippet from his masterclasses on Rachmaninov and on Schumann's "Fantasy Pieces" from Prussia Cove.  (I'm amazed by his ability to talk and play at the same time!)  :-)

Mr. Isserlis has a few little games on his website that are kinda fun for little cellists, check em out! Also, read more about him on StringsMagazine and on Cello.org  ---  Oh, and I think this is absolutely gorgeous!

(Born:1906, Died: 1986)

According to Mr. Fournier's Wikipedia page...  He's known for being the "aristocrat of cellists, on account of his elegant musicianship and majestic sound."  Virgil Thomson wrote in the New York Herald Tribune, "I do not know his superior among living cellists, nor any...who give one more profoundly the feeling of having been present at music-making."  Read more here.

The thing I love most about Mr. Fournier is his posture while playing. (Go ahead and roll your eyes...) Seriously, if you watch him, you'll see his shoulders totally relaxed. His arms curved around his cello... Oh wow it's good. You can see by his playing, why he was a teacher for most of his life.

Another thing I find interesting to note, is the frequency of his vibrato.  I find it fascinating to consider the trend of popular singers' vibrato at the time of the height of his playing... the trend for a wide, rapid warble must have bled into Mr. Fournier's fingers. 

Just so you know, Pierre Fournier is my favorite recording of the Bach Suites...  :-)