Brannon Cho
Kronberg Academy Professional Studies Studies with Frans Helmerson funded by the Gerhard und Dorothea Berssenbrügge patronage
Cello Masterclasses, participant
Chamber Music Connects the World, junior
Chamber Music Connects the World, concert
Kronberg Festival, concert
Born in New Jersey in 1994, cellist Brannon Cho gained his bachelor’s degree from the Northwestern Bienen School of Music where he studied with Hans Jørgen Jensen. He subsequently completed studies with Laurence Lesser at the New England Conservatory, receiving his Artist Diploma in 2019.
Brannon Cho won first prize in the prestigious International Paulo Cello Competition in 2018 and was also placed in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2017. He won second prize in the 2015 International Walter W. Naumburg Cello Competition as well as third prize in the Gaspar Cassadó International Cello Competition in 2015. He is the recipient of the 2020 János Starker Foundation Award and 2019 Ivan Galamian Award.
Cho has performed as a soloist with many noted orchestras, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic and the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège. In so doing, he has collaborated with world-renowned conductors such as Susanna Mälkki, Stéphane Denève and Hugh Wolff.
As a chamber musician, Cho has already shared the stage with artists including Christian Tetzlaff, Gidon Kremer and Joshua Bell. His performances in this guise include participation in the 2018 Marlboro Music Festival, Chamber Music Connects the World 2016 at Kronberg Academy, the Music@Menlo Festival, Verbier Festival Academy and the Gstaad Menuhin Festival Academy. In addition, he took part in the Cello Masterclasses at Kronberg Academy in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
As a lover of chamber music, Brannon Cho is a founding member of two groups: Trio Seoul with violinist Jinjoo Cho and pianist Kyu Yeon Kim, and a string trio with violinist Stella Chen and violist Matthew Lipman. Cho was awarded the CME International Performing Arts Grant in 2015 as well as a scholarship from the International Music Academy in the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Brannon Cho plays a cello by Antonio Casini dating from 1668 (Modena, Italy).
In 2016 he played in Kronberg Academy’s event Appointment with Slava in remembrance of the musical achievement of Mstislav Rostropovich. 2019 - 2023 he studied at the Kronberg Academy with Frans Helmerson. His studys were funded by the Gerhard and Dorothea Berssenbrügge patronage.