• Most Respected Classical Music Platform
  • #classicalForever
TOP

VC ARTIST

Cellist Brannon Cho

birthday cake
Born On December 15, 1994
United States
Born in United States
Germany
Germany
instrument
Cello Antonio Casini 1668 Modena, Italy
Bow Nicolas Léonard Tourte ca. 1790 Paris, France
graduation cap
Education
New England Conservatory Northwestern University Bienen School of Music Kronberg Academy
music note
Teachers
Laurence Lesser Hans Jensen Frans Helmerson
awards
Notable awards/competitions won
First Prize winner of the prestigious 6th International Paulo Cello Competition Prize winner of the Queen Elisabeth, Naumburg, and Cassadó International Cello Competitions Recipient of the 2020 Janos Starker Foundation Award, the Landgraf von Hessen Prize from Kronberg Academy, the 2019 Ivan Galamian Award Scholarship holder in the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation

Brannon’s upcoming season features a number of solo performances and chamber recitals as well as the Previn Memorial Concert at Carnegie Hall.

“Brannon Delivers Audiences an Emotionally Transformative Experience”

- The Violin Channel

VC Artist and Cellist Brannon Cho has emerged as an outstanding artist of his generation. He is the First Prize winner of the 6th International Paulo Cello Competition, and is also a top prize winner of the Queen Elisabeth, Naumburg, and Cassadó International Cello Competitions. Most recently, Brannon Cho is the recipient of the 2020 Janos Starker Foundation Award, the Landgraf von Hessen Prize from Kronberg Academy, the 2019 Ivan Galamian Award previously held by James Ehnes, and is a scholarship holder in the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation.

Brannon Cho has appeared as a soloist with many of the top orchestras around the world, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Belgian National Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Brussels Philharmonic under world-renowned conductors such as Susanna Mälkki, Stéphane Denève, Christian Arming, and Hugh Wolff.

As a lover of chamber music, Brannon Cho is a founding member of two groups: Trio Seoul with violinist Jinjoo Cho and pianist Kyu Yeon Kim, and a string trio with violinist Stella Chen and violist Matthew Lipman. Trio Seoul's recent recitals took place in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toronto, and Montreal, among others. The string trio had its debut recital at Kronberg Academy's 2023 Alumni Festival to critical acclaim, and has had recent recitals in Jordan Hall, at Rockport Music, and at the Ravinia Festival.

Brannon Cho’s recent and upcoming performance highlights include Carnegie Hall's Zankel and Weill Halls, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Rheingau Musik Festival, Vancouver Chamber Music Society, Cello Biënnale Amsterdam, Music in Pyeongchang, and Seoul Arts Center. Recently, he replaced Alisa Weilerstein in Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante with the Belgian National Orchestra to critical acclaim.

Born in New Jersey, Brannon Cho received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music under Hans Jørgen Jensen. He was awarded the prestigious Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Laurence Lesser. He also studied with Frans Helmerson in the Professional Studies program at Kronberg Academy. Brannon Cho is sponsored by Thomastik- Infeld, and performs on a rare cello made by Antonio Casini in 1668 in Modena, Italy.

Brannon Cho
What is your hobby outside of music?
I love going on runs in the woods, and being surrounded by nature in general. There’s something very refreshing and rejuvenating about being active in nature, whether it’s a run or hike or swim.
If you weren’t a musician, what profession do you think you’d be doing now?
If I weren’t a musician, I would want to be a veterinarian. Of course, it takes a lot of studying and training to get there, but it would be so worth it to take care of animals for a living.
What is your dream gig?
My dream gig would be a program of my choice at a hall of my choice, with musicians of my choice, and with my loved ones in the audience. So you could say I’m already living my dream!
What is a song that makes you turn the radio up?
Any song from Tems’ recent album.
What would you say makes you unique as a musician?
I think I have a pretty recognizable voice on the cello, and a feeling that I really believe in what I’m playing.
Do you keep all 3 meals phone-free?
Meals are usually my break time and a chance to reply to emails so…no.
Video Thumbnail
Video Thumbnail
Video Thumbnail
Video Thumbnail
Video Thumbnail
CONTACT US
x

Get ALL our latest conveniently by EMAIL

Our newsletter is trusted by over 100,000+ industry professionals around the world

We deliver news straight to your inbox and will never share your data.
You'll never miss a beat!

click left click right