Marking its 300th anniversary in 2026, the 1726
Stradivarius cello known as 'The Marquis de Corberon' has been cited
as one of the world’s greatest cellos, much prized for its exceptional warmth
and depth in the lower register. This distinguished instrument — one of the
last made by Stradivari — was bequeathed to London’s Royal Academy of Music in London,
who since 2009 have loaned it to British cellist Steven Isserlis.
This Marquis de Corberon 300th Anniversary
Collection presents 10 of Isserlis’s greatest albums to enable
listeners to hear this cello in music of the last 300 years — ranging from his
recent Boccherini ‘Music of the Angels’ album to Concertos by CPE Bach,
Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvorak right up to John Taverner, enabling listeners and
enthusiasts to enjoy this incomparable instrument across a range of eras and
styles.
Two generous,
comprehensive and scholarly booklets present all the original album notes
alongside special essays. In the first of these, MY LIFE WITH THE MARQUIS,
Steven Isserlis opens our eyes to the challenges, obstacles, and myriad joys of
tramping the globe with such a priceless instrument. Historian Rowena Anketell
then presents a fascinating account, THE REAL MARQUIS DE CORBERON, of this
particular instrument’s history and its journey after its first owner, from
whom it takes its aristocratic name, fell victim the French revolution’s
guillotine. Barbara Meyer provides a third essay, AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
with insights on the challenge of owning a priceless instrument ensuring its
unique voice can remain heard around the world rather than stuck behind a
glassy museum case.
