The Marquis de Corberon (300th Anniversary Collection 10CD)

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.