A 1759 G. B. Guadagnini cello serves as the primary instrument for Sol Gabetta, an Argentine-born performer who occupies a central role in contemporary classical music. Since her professional emergence, she has cultivated an extensive discography through Sony Classical and Deutsche Grammophon, balancing performance commitments with institutional teaching roles at the City of Basel Music Academy.
Formative Training and Early Recognition
Born in 1981 in Villa María, Argentina, Gabetta began violin studies at age three before transitioning to the cello a year later. By age ten, she had secured her first competitive victory, eventually refining her technical approach under instructors such as Ivan Monighetti, Christine Walevska, Leo Viola, Piero Farulli, and Ljerko Spiller. Her formal education included attendance at the Hanns Eisler Music School Berlin and the City of Basel Music Academy.
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The 2004 Crédit Suisse Young Artist Award marked a pivot toward global performance platforms. By 2006, she founded the Solsberg Festival, an annual event that remains a centerpiece of her artistic output. Her orchestral engagements expanded significantly in 2014, featuring a debut with the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle and an appearance with the Staatskapelle Berlin. She has held residencies at the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Philharmonie.
Contemporary Collaborations and Repertoire
Gabetta frequently collaborates with living composers, including Pēteris Vasks, who composed his cello concerto Presence specifically for her. She also worked with Michel van der Aa on the piece Up-close, premiered alongside the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. Her recording projects demonstrate a wide stylistic range, extending from standard concerti by Haydn, Mozart, and Elgar to modern interpretations of works by Ginastera and Tchaikovsky.
Broadcasting and Recognition
Beyond the concert hall, Gabetta serves as a presenter for the BR-Klassik program KlickKlack. Her industry recognition includes three Echo Klassik awards for Instrumentalist of the Year and the 2018 Herbert von Karajan Prize. She remains active in high-profile performances, such as her soloist role in the opening concert of the 2016 BBC Promenade season and the 2024 UK premiere of the Francisco Coll Cello Concerto.
Fast facts
- Born: 1981, Villa María, Argentina
- Primary Instrument: 1759 G. B. Guadagnini cello
- Current Academic Position: Teacher, City of Basel Music Academy
- Notable Award: Herbert von Karajan Prize (2018)
- Debut Recording Year: 2006
- Citizenship: Argentina and Switzerland
- Languages spoken: Spanish, French, Russian, Italian, German, English
Questions readers ask
Where does Sol Gabetta teach?
She has been a cello teacher at the City of Basel Music Academy since 2005.
What is the Festival Solsberg?
It is a music festival founded by Gabetta in 2006.
Achievements
- Herbert von Karajan Prize — 2018
- Instruments: cello
- Genres: classical music
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