Frans Helmerson

Swedish cellist Frans Helmerson, he began his musical training with Guido Vecchi in Gothemburg and later on with Giuseppe Selmi in Rome and William Pleeth in London. Sergiu Celibidache and his mentor Mstislav Rostropovich were very important influences in its artistic development. In 1971, he won the well-known Cassado Competition in Firenze, being the first of many recognitions. His tours have taken him to several places in Europe, as well as Japan, Russia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and United States.

Frans Helmerson performs with many prestigious orchestras and receives excellent reviews for his concerts and recordings, like the recording of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with Neeme Järvi and Gothemburg Symphony Orchestra, identified as “the best recording currently available in the market”. His recording of the Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 has also received great reviews.

Frans Helmerson’s passion for chamber music is another important boost of its musical activity. He is usually invited to perform in the lead European festivals like, Verbier Music Festival, Pablo Casals Festival in Prades and Ravinia Festival; and for many years he was artistic Director at the Umea-Korsholm Chamber Music International Festival. In 2002 he cofounded the Michelangelo String Quartet.

Apart from his soloist, chamber musician and conductor, Frans Helmerson was professor for several years at Madrid and Cologne’s conservatories. From 2011 to 2016, he has given lessons as quest professor at the Hanns Eisler School of Music. In 2016, he obtained an additional chair at the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin. Frans Helmerson teaches at the Kronberg Academy’s study programmes as main professor since 2006. He plays a Stefan-Peter Greiner cello.