Julius Isserlis ^People

In Russia, he was appointed as a professor at the College of the Imperial Philharmonic Society. Julius Isserlis arrived in Vienna in 1923 with his wife and son, never to return to Russia again. Vienna had a very active musical scene, and he was able to build a career there as pianist, composer and teacher. He was in touch withother Russian emigrés, Nathan Milstein and Josef Lhévinne are among those known to have visited him during this time.At the Anschluss in 1938, Isserlis, fortuitously, was on tour in Britain. He was granted British residency, and was soon joined there by his wife and son. Now inhis fifties, he worked hard to rebuild his career as a pianist once more, he frequentlyfeatured on the BBC Third Programme, and he toured the country with the WessexPhilharmonic. However, some recordings made in Poland before the War survive, as do several BBC tapes.His compositional output is small, and consists mainly of short piano pieces. One exception is the Ballade in A minor for cello and piano, this was dedicated toPablo Casals, who corresponded with the composer suggesting various changes. Isserlis's most important influence was Chopin, and he was also inspired by Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Debussy. A recording of his music, played by pianist SamHaywood, hasbeen issued by Hyperion Records.