Steven Isserlis

On the evening of Wednesday 4 November 2026, following the ‘Chant du Ménestrel’ concert, cellist Steven Isserlis received the Anner Bijlsma Award from Anne Plaizier, chair of the Supervisory Board of the Amsterdam Cello Biennale. 

Plaizier stated: ‘Steven Isserlis’s repertoire is incredibly wide-ranging, extending right up to the very latest music. Composers such as Sir John Tavener, Thomas Adès, György Kurtág, Olli Mustonen and many others have written new works for him. His discography is virtually limitless, and it is striking that, alongside almost the entire standard repertoire, he also devotes considerable attention to lesser-known and rarely performed works. He has reissued or arranged several compositions himself.’