Brian Isaacs
American violist Brian Isaacs is a prizewinner of international viola competitions including Rostal (2. Prize & all special prizes), Markneukirchen (3. Prize), and Nedbal (3. Prize & Martinů Prize). He has also received awards and prizes from institutions such as the Verbier Festival Academy, Yale University, and Frank Huntington Beebe Fund.
An avid chamber musician, Brian’s recent festival appearances include Boscobel, Four Seasons, Gstaad String Academy, La Jolla SummerFest, Marlboro, Methow Valley, NUME, CMS Palm Beach, Taos, Thy, Tonhain Kollektiv, Verbier Festival Academy, Viridian Strings, and Yellow Barn.
During his two seasons as a scholar in the Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker, Brian was mentored by Sebastian Krunnies. He participated in numerous performances of the Berliner Philharmoniker, including tours within Europe and the USA. He has also performed as guest principal violist with Les Musiciens du Louvre, as guest co-principal with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a substitute with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
He completed his Konzertexamen at HfMDK Frankfurt in the studio of Tabea Zimmermann, and was simultaneously a member of the Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker. He received his MM in Viola Performance at Yale University, studying with Ettore Causa, as well as his BA in Sociology. Brian plays on a modern viola made by Douglas Cox in Vermont, USA.
Brian studies at the Kronberg Academy with Tabea Zimmermann since October 2025. Her studies are funded by the Yehudi Menuhin patronage.
TABEA ZIMMERMANN - 60 - AN DIE MUSIK
Participants
- Daniel Sepec violin
- Jean-Guihen Queyras Cello
- Tabea Zimmermann Viola and Artistic Direction
- Brian Isaacs viola
- Sào Soulez Larivière viola
- Haesue Lee viola
- Belcea Quartett
- Maya Sloane Singing
- Yuval Shallon-Sloane Double Bass and Electric Bass
- Jonathan Shallon-Sloane Piano and Harpsichord
- Yaron Heilbrunn Drums
Programme
Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179)
O virtus sapientie
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Sinfonia from the cantata “Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt”, BWV 18
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
String Quintet in C major, K. 515, III. Andante
Max Reger (1873–1916)
Suite No. 1, Op. 131d
Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179)
O quam mirabilis est
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
String Trio No. 1, Op. 34
I. Toccata. Fast half notes
III. Moderato, fast quarter notes
IV. Fugue. Very lively half notes
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
An die Musik, D 547, No. 4, Op. 88
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, II. Andante, ma moderato
Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909)
Tango No. 2, Op. 165
Tabea Zimmermann will celebrate her 60th birthday at the Casals Forum on 17 October 2026. Look forward to a surprise concert featuring works from Hildegard von Bingen to jazz. A narrated homage “An die Musik”.
The concert will take place without an intermission.
Concert expected to end at approximately 9:00 p.m.!
Subject to change
Kronberg Academy on Tour - Wigmore Hall London
Participants
- Sarang Seohyun Kim violin
- Charlotte Spruit violin
- Brian Isaacs viola
- Kirill Gerstein piano
- Benjamin Kruithof cello
Programme
The program will be announced later.
Kronberg Academy on Tour - Wigmore Hall London
Participants
- Sarang Seohyun Kim violin
- Charlotte Spruit violin
- Brian Isaacs viola
- Kirill Gerstein piano
- Benjamin Kruithof cello
Programme
The program will be announced later.
Concerti Brillanti: FEUER, FANTASIE, FOLKLORE
Participants
- Amira Abouzahra violin
- Oliver Neubauer violin
- Brian Isaacs viola
- Benjamin Kruithof cello
- Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
Programme
Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962)
Concerto in the Style of Antonio Vivaldi in C major
Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826)
Andante e Rondo ungarese
Max Bruch (1838–1920)
Kol Nidrei in D minor, Op. 47
Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992)
Las cuatro estaciones porteñas
Subject to change
Mittwochskonzert Brian Isaacs
Participants
- Brian Isaacs viola
Programme
The programme is curated by the students themselves and will be announced at a later date.
The ticket price for the Wednesday Concerts includes one drink on the evening of the concert.
Subject to change.