Brian Isaacs
Kronberg Academy Professional Studies with Tabea Zimmermann, funded by the Yehudi Menuhin patronage
American violist Brian Isaacs is a prizewinner of international viola competitions including Rostal (2. Prize & all special prizes), Markneukirchen (3. Prize), and Nedbal (3. Prize & Martinů Prize). He has also received awards and prizes from institutions such as the Verbier Festival Academy, Yale University, and Frank Huntington Beebe Fund.
An avid chamber musician, Brian’s recent festival appearances include Boscobel, Four Seasons, Gstaad String Academy, La Jolla SummerFest, Marlboro, Methow Valley, NUME, CMS Palm Beach, Taos, Thy, Tonhain Kollektiv, Verbier Festival Academy, Viridian Strings, and Yellow Barn.
During his two seasons as a scholar in the Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker, Brian was mentored by Sebastian Krunnies. He participated in numerous performances of the Berliner Philharmoniker, including tours within Europe and the USA. He has also performed as guest principal violist with Les Musiciens du Louvre, as guest co-principal with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a substitute with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
He completed his Konzertexamen at HfMDK Frankfurt in the studio of Tabea Zimmermann, and was simultaneously a member of the Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker. He received his MM in Viola Performance at Yale University, studying with Ettore Causa, as well as his BA in Sociology. Brian plays on a modern viola made by Douglas Cox in Vermont, USA.
Brian studies at the Kronberg Academy with Tabea Zimmermann since October 2025. Her studies are funded by the Yehudi Menuhin patronage.
MARTIN HELMCHEN & FRIENDS I
Participants
- Antje Weithaas violin
- Elli Choi violin
- Samuel Rosenthal viola
- Brian Isaacs viola
- Marie-Elisabeth Hecker cello
- Oliver Herbert cello
- Martin Helmchen piano
Programme
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
String Quintet no. 3 in C major, KV 515
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op. 44
Without Intermission
Concert introduction with Martin Helmchen at 6.45 p.m.
Subject to change.
CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF & FRIENDS I
Participants
- Christian Tetzlaff violin
- Hana Chang violin
- Brian Isaacs violin
- Charlotte Spruit violin
- Julian Rhee violin
- Simon Tetzlaff cello
- Benjamin Kruithof cello
- Kiveli Dörken piano
Programme
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Quartet in G minor for two violins, viola and cello, Op. 20 No. 3
Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
Excerpts from 44 duets for 2 violins
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Trio No. 2 in G minor for piano, violin and violoncello, Op. 26
Concert without intermission
Subject to change.
CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF & FRIENDS III
Participants
- Christian Tetzlaff violin
- Hana Chang violin
- Brian Isaacs violin
- Charlotte Spruit violin
- Julian Rhee violin
- Dmytro Udovychenko violin
- Simon Tetzlaff cello
- Benjamin Kruithof cello
- Brian Isaacs violin
Programme
Jörg Widmann (1973–
Quartet No. 2 for two violins, viola and cello ‘Choral Quartet’
Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
Excerpts from 44 duets for 2 violins
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Trio No. 3 in C minor for violin, cello and piano, Op. 101
Subject to change.