Stjepan Hauser

Stjepan Hauser, a Croatian cellist born in 1986, reached a global audience through digital platforms after his 2011 cello arrangement of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal went viral. Beyond his online presence, he maintains an extensive performance history across more than 40 countries, balancing solo endeavors with high-profile chamber music and orchestral collaborations throughout his career.

Formal Education and Early Training

Born in Pula, Hauser began his musical education within his family. He completed secondary school in Rijeka before moving to the United Kingdom for higher studies. He trained at Trinity College of Music, London, under Natalia Pavlutskaya, and later finished postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. There, he worked as a Dorothy Stone Scholar under Ralph Kirshbaum. His development also included instruction from Bernard Greenhouse.

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Chamber Music and Professional Recognition

Hauser was a member of the Greenwich Trio, alongside violinist Lana Trotovsek and pianist Yoko Misumi. Described by Bernard Greenhouse as the New Beaux Arts Trio, the group secured several first prizes in international competitions across Belgium, Italy, and the UK. In 2014, his contributions to culture were marked by the Order of Danica Hrvatska. He has also collaborated with numerous musicians, including Oliver Dragojević and Damir Urban.

Performance and Solo Work

Hauser has appeared in venues such as Wigmore Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. In 2006, he performed at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence for Mstislav Rostropovich. As a solo artist, he recorded Christopher Ball's First Concerto for Cello, a work composed specifically for him. His discography includes Hauser Classic, released in 2020 with the London Symphony Orchestra, and the 2023 holiday album, Christmas. During the 2020 quarantine, he produced three live-streamed performances in Croatia at locations including the Arena Pula and the Krka Waterfalls.

Evolution of 2CELLOS

Hauser formed the duo 2CELLOS with Luka Šulić. The pair gained international attention in 2011 following their instrumental cover of Smooth Criminal. This success led to a feature on the television series Glee in 2012, marking the first instance of an instrumental duo appearing in that capacity. The duo recorded multiple albums with Sony Music Entertainment and performed frequently with the Elton John band, eventually embarking on a final tour before Hauser shifted focus to solo world tours like Rebel with a Cello and The Rebel Is Back.