Biography
Praised by critics for her ability to captivate audiences through a mature artistic voice, exceptional musicality, and a distinctive technique, Anzél Gerber is increasingly in demand on international stages.
Her artistic development has been shaped by leading figures of the Russian cello tradition, all connected to the pedagogical lineage of Simeon Kozolupov and Mstislav Rostropovich. After initial studies in her native South Africa, she continued her training in Spain under Alexander Fedortchenko, before pursuing advanced studies at the Moscow State Conservatory with Alexander Kniazev. She later completed her PhD in Music Performance at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she studied under the renowned pedagogue Natalia Shakhovskaya.
During her formative years, she received guidance from distinguished musicians through masterclasses - including David Geringas, Karine Georgian, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Maxim Vengerov. She has also attended masterclasses with other eminent cellists such as Mstislav Rostropovich, Natalia Gutman, Heinrich Schiff, Bernard Greenhouse, Gary Hoffman, Maria Kliegel, Young-Chang Cho, Philippe Muller, and Julius Berger.
As a soloist, Gerber has collaborated with conductors including Gérard Korsten, Guido Ajmone-Marsan, Yasuo Shinozaki, Leslie B. Dunner, Gordon Hunt, and Robert Maxym. Her international performance career has taken her to the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Austria, Italy, South Africa, and Namibia.
She maintains an active chamber music partnership with pianist Ben Schoeman. The duo were awarded the “Baronessa Constanza Arezzo Giampiccolo di Donnafugata IBLA Award” as overall winners of the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition (Italy, 2012). They made their New York debut at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) on 14 May 2014. Dr Gerber also collaborates regularly with pianists Evgeny Sinaiski and Sofja Gülbadamova.
Alongside her performing career, Dr Gerber is a dedicated lecturer and researcher. She was awarded her PhD in Music Performance from Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2008. Her doctoral research, Critical Success Factors in Cello Training, presents a comparative study of pedagogical approaches in Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Her interest in gifted music education led to postdoctoral research at Temple University (Philadelphia, 2009–2010), focusing on Gifted Music Education: An International Perspective.
She regularly presents masterclasses internationally and is the founder and artistic director of the Celloworld Festival. Based in Vienna, she continues to expand her career across Europe.
She performs on an 1899 Venetian cello by Francesco Lazzaretti.