Alisa Weilerstein is an American classical cellist born April 14th, 1982. She is the elder sister of conductor and violinist Joshua Weilerstein, and is well-known for her broad repertoire and interpretive depth.
Born into a musical family in Rochester, New York, Weilerstein started playing cello at four years old. She made her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra at thirteen and has since gone on to perform with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A consummate performer of the classics as well as a champion of contemporary composition, Weilerstein’s versatility and charismatic stage presence have made her one of the premier cellists of her generation.
Active also as a chamber musician and a recording artist, Weilerstein performs regularly with various ensembles all over the world including the Weilerstein Trio - a group based at New England Conservatory comprised of herself, her father Donald (violin) and mother Vivian (piano). Amongst a discography of critically acclaimed and bestselling works, her 2020 recording of Bach’s Cello Suites stands out.
Considered an authority on Bach’s work for solo cello, Weilerstein has also created a groundbreaking, multi-season project which aims to reimagine the concert experience and deepen the connection between audience and artist. FRAGMENTS weaves together thirty-six movements of Bach’s Cello Suites with twenty-seven newly commissioned works. The 2024 - 2025 season sees the New York premiere of FRAGMENTS 3 at Carnegie Hall, as well as the complete cycle performed at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.