David Finckel

Cellist David Finckel’s multifaceted musical career has included performances on the world’s stages in the roles of recitalist, chamber artist, and orchestral soloist. Finckel joined the Emerson String Quartet in 1979, and during 34 seasons garnered nine Grammy Awards and the Avery Fisher Prize. He appears in more than 100 concerts each season in recital with pianist Wu Han across the U.S. and around the world. Activities as a concerto soloist include performances and recordings of the Dvořák Concerto, John Harbison’s Concerto, and Augusta Read Thomas’ Ritual Incantations.

With Han, Finckel is co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and co-founder and co-artistic director of Music@Menlo, a chamber music festival and institute in Silicon Valley. They are recipients of Musical America’s Musicians of the Year award.

In 1997, Finckel and Han launched ArtistLed, classical music’s first musician-directed and internet-based recording company. Finckel is also the creator of other classical music media projects including the Music@Menlo LIVE label, the CMS Archive label, and he is the host and instructor of Cello Talks—a series of 100 cello lessons available free online. Passionately dedicated to education for musicians of all ages and experience, he developed a special resource section of his website to provide, at no cost, a wealth of guidance for students on both music study and careers as well as invaluable information for arts organizations and individuals on every aspect of concert presenting.

For many years Finckel taught alongside the Isaac Stern at Carnegie Hall and the Jerusalem Music Center. He is artist in residence at the State University of New York—Stony Brook as well. Finckel studied with Elsa Hilger, Bernard Greenhouse, and Mstislav Rostropovich. In 1985, Finckel became the first winner of NEC’s Gregor Piatigorsky Prize, competing in the triple role of soloist, chamber musician, and teacher.