BIOGRAPHY
Adrian Brendel is one of the most versatile and original cellists of his generation, and has travelled the world as soloist, collaborator and teacher. He has been immersed in the central European classical tradition from a young age, and continues to cultivate this music passionately, alongside his work with contemporary composers and performers.
Adrian has recorded a wide range of music for Philips, Hyperion, ECM New Series, NMC, BIS and other labels. These include a survey of Beethoven's complete works for cello and piano with his father Alfred Brendel, a collection of pieces dedicated to him during many years of valuable collaboration with Sir Harrison Birtwistle, and much of the core chamber music repertoire, with Nash Ensemble and other partnerships.
Performance & Collaborations
Adrian is a familiar presence at many of Europe’s leading festivals, including Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, Verbier, Aldeburgh, Edinburgh and Salzburg. He has performed as soloist with orchestras including NDR Hamburg, Gulbenkian, Academy of St Martins, Philharmonia and RSNO, and in recital with Till Fellner, Alasdair Beatson, Dame Imogen Cooper and Christian Hadland.
His musical pursuits beyond classical music have led to memorable encounters with Patti Smith, Baaba Maal and Nils Wogram’s Root 70 in recent years.
Artistic Direction
Bath Bachfest & Mozartfest
From June 2025 - Artistic Director
From June 2025, Adrian takes on a new role as artistic director of Bath Bachfest and Mozartfest, one of the UK's most prestigious classical festivals.
bathmozartfest.org.ukNash Ensemble
From 2025 - Co-artistic Director
A long standing member of Nash Ensemble, Adrian will co-direct the group with Simon Crawford-Phillips from 2025, succeeding its founder and artistic director of sixty years, Amelia Freedman.
Tree of Strings Foundation
From 2026 - Founder
A new project in south-west England will also begin under Adrian's direction, in 2026. The Tree of Strings foundation sets out to take music of all kinds into local schools and provide performance opportunities for talented young musicians alongside established artists throughout the year.
Plush Festival
1995-2017 - Founder
Adrian developed an original programming style from his time as curator of Plush Festival in Dorset, between 1995 and 2017. The concert series brought together diverse thematic strands across a wide span of music - from Machaut to the present day. They attracted artists such as Sir Andras Schiff, Radu Lupu, Lawrence Power, Miklos Perenyi, Oliver Knussen and John Taylor, among many regular visitors, and featured pieces by more than 100 contemporary composers.
Teaching & Education
Adrian is an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music, where he also gives masterclasses as a guest professor. His busy teaching schedule takes him to academies around and beyond Europe, alongside his regular work with private students and ensembles.