Johan van Iersel, cello

a portrait

Cellist Johan van Iersel studied with Elias Arizcuren at the Utrecht Conservatory, where he graduated with distinction in 1995. He went on to study with Philippe Müller at the Paris conservatory, and participated in masterclasses with Siegfried Palm, Mstislav Rostropovich and Heinrich Schiff.

Van Iersel is appointed assistant principal cellist with the Concertgebouworkest since September 1997.

He was a prizewinner at the 1990 Princess Christina Competition, the 1992 Postbank Sweelinck Competition and the competition of the Foundation for Young Musical Talent in the Netherlands in 1991. Together with pianist Jeroen Bal, he was awarded the 1992 Silver Vriendenkrans Competition by the Society of Friends of the Concertgebouworkest.

Johan van Iersel forms the Vermeer trio with Jeroen Bal and assistant concert master Tjeerd Top. He is also the cellist of the internationally active Blaeu String Quartet, and used to be a member of the Escher Trio.

He gives regular solo performances with such orchestras as the Concertgebouworkest, the former Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra and the Residentie Orchestra.

Since 2005 Johan van Iersel plays a cello built by F. Ruggieri (Cremona, 1687), previously owned by his cello teacher. This cello was purchased by Foundation Concertgebouworkest together with a number of private patrons and provided on loan to Van Iersel.

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