Musician Directory
22 famous cellists
Organized with dates, nationality, and key career highlights, along with sources. Current posts are as of November 2026.
Pablo Casals Pablo Casals
1876–1973 · Spain · Cellist · Conductor
The cellist who rediscovered Bach's solo cello suites and made them widely known
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Pierre Fournier Pierre Fournier
1906–1986 · France · Cellist
The French cellist known as the "prince of the cello"
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Mstislav Rostropovich Mstislav Rostropovich
1927–2007 · Russia (Soviet Union) · Cellist · Conductor
The cellist who premiered Prokofiev's Cello Sonata in 1953
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
János Starker János Starker
1924–2013 · Hungary · USA · Cellist
The cellist who made his name with his 1948 recording of Kodály's Solo Cello Sonata
Sources: classical-music.com
Jacqueline du Pré Jacqueline du Pré
1945–1987 · UK · Cellist
Famous for the Elgar Cello Concerto; retired at 28 due to multiple sclerosis
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Myung-wha Chung Myung-wha Chung
1944– · South Korea · Cellist
The cellist who performed as the "Chung Trio" with her siblings Kyung-wha Chung and Myung-whun Chung
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Mischa Maisky Mischa Maisky
1948– · Israel (born in Latvia) · Cellist
The cellist who studied with both Rostropovich and Piatigorsky
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Yo-Yo Ma Yo-Yo Ma
1955– · USA · Cellist
The cellist who received the Polar Music Prize in 2012
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org, yo-yoma.com
Steven Isserlis Steven Isserlis
1958– · UK · Cellist
British cellist known for playing on gut strings, awarded a CBE
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Han-Na Chang Han-na Chang
1982– · South Korea · Cellist · Conductor
Worked as a cellist before turning to conducting
Currently: President of the Seoul Arts Center (April 2026–)
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org, hankyung.com
Gautier Capuçon Gautier Capuçon
1981– · France · Cellist
French cellist and younger brother of violinist Renaud Capuçon
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, gautiercapucon.com
Sol Gabetta Sol Gabetta
1981– · Argentina · Cellist
Won the 2004 Credit Suisse Young Artist Award, performed with the Vienna Philharmonic
Sources: hu.dbpedia.org, highresaudio.com
Sheku Kanneh-Mason Sheku Kanneh-Mason
1999– · UK · Cellist
Won BBC Young Musician in 2016, performed at the 2018 British royal wedding
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Ha-young Choi Hayoung Choi
South Korea · Cellist
Won the cello category of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Sources: m.seoul.co.kr, hayoungchoi.com
Ettore Pagano Ettore PaganoRising musicians
2003– · Italy · Cellist
Won the cello category of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in May 2026
Sources: thestrad.com, belganewsagency.eu
Taeyeon Kim Tae-Yeon KimRising musicians
2006– · South Korea · Cellist
Won second prize in the cello category of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in May 2026
Sources: koreaherald.com, thestrad.com
Jaemin Han Jaemin HanRising musicians
2006– · South Korea · Cellist
Youngest winner of the cello category at the George Enescu Competition, in 2021
Sources: kdschmid.de, asiae.co.kr
Youngeun Lee Youngeun LeeRising musicians
South Korea · Cellist
Won first prize in the cello category of the Tchaikovsky Competition in June 2023
Yubin Lee Youbien LeeRising musicians
2000– · South Korea · Cellist
Won the cello category of the Isang Yun International Music Competition in November 2025
Sources: thestrad.com, heraldk.com
Kian Soltani Kian Soltani
1992– · Austria · Cellist
Artist in residence at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg for the 2025/26 season
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, elbphilharmonie.de
Pablo Ferrández Pablo Ferrández
1991– · Spain · Cellist
Won an Opus Klassik award in 2021 for his debut album "Reflections"
Bryan Cheng Bryan ChengRising musicians
1997– · Canada · Cellist
Prizewinner in the cello category of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition, Classic FM 2026 Rising Star
Currently: Artist in residence for the 2025/26 season at Halifax's Cecilia Concerts (as of the 2025/26 season)