Cellist Steven Isserlis in concert January 10, 2010

San Francisco Performances welcomes back renowned cellist Steven Isserlis for a recital with pianist Kirill Gerstein. In addition to his distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher, Isserlis is a prolific blogger and children's book author.

The dynamic pair will perform Benjamin Britten's "Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Major, Opus 65"; an arrangement by Isserlis of Schumann's "Violin Sonata No. 3"; and Rachmaninoff's "Sonata in G minor for Piano and Cello, Opus 19."

British cellist Steven Isserlis has played with many of the foremost period instrument orchestras, including Dvorak's Cello Concerto with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Sir Simon Rattle, and Beethoven's complete works for cello and keyboard with fortepianist Robert Levin in Boston and London.

Isserlis is also a strong advocate of contemporary music, and has worked with many composers on new commissions since giving the world premiere of John Tavener's "Protecting Veil" at the BBC Proms in 1989. In 2009 at the Aldeburgh Festival he premiered Thomas Ades's new work for cello and piano, "Lieux retrouves," together with the composer/pianist (who appears on San Francisco Performances Piano Series March 16).

Writing and playing for children is another major interest. Isserlis's first book, a children's history of the lives of six great composers, "Why Beethoven Threw the Stew," was published in 2001 and prompted a 2006 sequel, "Why Handel Waggled his Wig." Since then he has presented a series of children's concerts, based on his books, at the 92nd St Y in New York. With pianist Stephen Hough he has recorded a CD, "Children's Cello," and with composer Anne Dudley is currently writing a series of musical stories for children.

Official Website: http://www.performances.org