Isabel Vaz - A life between cello strings
- Joana Marques
- 6 de ago. de 2024
- 4 min de leitura
By Joana Patacas, on March 5, 2024*
In a world where music echoes as an expression of the soul, Isabel Vaz asserts herself with distinction in the cello universe.
A cellist of recognized talent, who inspires the public through the strings of her French cello from the beginning of the 20th century (1910), Isabel Vaz currently resides in Amsterdam, where she enriches the Noord Nederlands Orkest with her art. At the same time, she shares her passion for chamber music as artistic director of the Algarve Music Series , a project she created together with pianist Vasco Dantas .
It is on stage, with her cello, that this artist finds her true essence. The quality of his interpretation is undeniable and proven by the praise he has received from critics:
“Isabel Vaz’s cello really sings, with noble musicality and technical bravery.” Zdenka Weber, in Klasika.ch , 2018
“The slow movement of Frédéric Chopin's cello sonata, the first movement of César Franck's sonata in A major and a fantasy piece by Robert Schumann were simpler and more contained, melodically expansive works, which Isabel Vaz brought to life with a tone radiant, in a harmonious partnership with Vasco Dantas on the piano.” Pedro Obiera
Born in Lisbon, Isabel began her musical studies at the age of seven at the Fundação Musical dos Amigos das Crianças, and completed her degree at the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa and her master's degree at the Amsterdam Conservatory. His academic career also included enriching periods at HAMU, in Prague, at the Manhattan School of Music, in New York, and at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien, in Hannover.
Along this path, she was distinguished in several national and international competitions, solo and in chamber music, including the special record prize at the Salieri Zinetti Chamber Music Competition in 2015 and 1st prize at the Estoril Interpretation Competition in 2016.
In this interview, conducted by Joana Patacas (JP), we invite you to discover the soul behind the cello, and the journey of an artist whose life is a testimony of love for music and boundless determination.
JP: What was the process like discovering your love for music and in particular the cello?
Isabel : I'm part of a family linked to the arts; my father, Isolino Vaz , was an artist, and my mother's family was always linked to music, even if not professionally. I grew up surrounded by music and activities related to the visual arts. At the age of four, I joined the Children's Friends Musical Foundation (FMAC), and that's how my taste for music developed. However, it was around the age of nine or ten, with the possibility of being part of small ensembles – whether orchestra or chamber music – that I discovered my current taste for chamber music.
JP: Who were the most influential figures on your musical journey?
Isabel : My father was always the most direct influence; however, it was my mother who made me grow up listening to opera and ballet. He also attended symphonic and chamber music concerts. The shows that most impacted me when I was little were a Yo-Yo Ma recital and a modern dance performance with Mikhail Baryshnikov, founder of the White Oak Dance Project.
JP: What were the most significant obstacles you faced at the beginning of your artistic career and how did you overcome them?
Isabel : The study period and the first two years after completing it were the most difficult. The initial phase of my professional life, the search for my artistic identity and affirmation in a context that I did not yet consider mine, proved to be the most complicated phase. However, with resilience and love for music, I followed a path that is followed daily, with discipline and establishing goals that moved me, always in accordance with the values with which I grew up.
JP: Can you tell us about the first recognitions you received in the artistic world and how they influenced your trajectory?
Isabel : I can't highlight a single achievement. Making it in the artistic world is a path made up of countless events. If I had to choose one, I would say that the 1st Prize in the Estoril Competition contributed to me having a series of opportunities to play solo with orchestras, both in Portugal and abroad, and establishing very important contacts for the rest of my life.
JP: Is there a moment or project in your career that brings you special pride?
Isabel : The creation of the Algarve Music Series, of which I am the artistic director together with my duo colleague, the pianist Vasco Dantas. The Algarve Music Series is a cycle of concerts in its essence of chamber music, but also has a multidisciplinary nature, covering different musical styles. It normally takes place in Faro, Loulé and Tavira, with its ninth edition scheduled for October 2024. This project is very important to me because it was with it that I debuted as a programmer and creator. I challenge myself to rethink my way of being both on stage and off, and it has been a source of enormous learning, both professionally and personally.
JP: Besides music, what are your passions and how do they enrich your life?
Isabel : I love doing sport, traveling, reading and spending time with my cats.
JP: What are your goals and dreams for the future?
Isabel : I want to continue doing what I'm doing, but always with the aim of improving and incorporating new knowledge that allows me to perform at an increasingly higher level.
* Interview with cellist Isabel Vaz originally in https://www.proart.art
Joana Patacas - Communication and Content Advisory
Want to know more? Watch and listen to one of their beautiful performances below:
Upcoming concerts:
Netherlands | NNO cello quartet
June 9th in Klassiek in 't Veen
April 27 - Sezim | Sezim Music Series
7 June - Quarteira, Church of São Pedro do Mar | Algarve Music Series
Recital with Vasco Dantas
June 25 - Belgrade, Serbia | Artlink
Recital with Vasco Dantas
6 July - Baarn, Netherlands | Mirantibus Kamermuziek
Schubert Octet
July 21 - Cistercian| Sacred Cisthermusic
Chamber Music - Chausson and Fauré
September 13th and 14th - Avis | Avis Music Series
Chamber music
September 27th to October 21st - Algarve Music Series
You can find more information about Isabel Vaz at: