Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

Mark Schumann, born in 1988 near Cologne, is regarded as one of the outstanding cellists of his generation. He began cello lessons at the age of four and later studied with renowned teachers such as Alwin Bauer, Hans-Christian Schweiker, Emil Klein, Heinrich Schiff, Frans Helmerson, and Nicolas Altstaedt. His artistic development was further shaped by masterclasses with David Geringas, Gary Hoffmann, Steven Isserlis, Bernard Greenhouse, and members of leading string quartets including the Alban Berg, Schönberg, Hagen, and Emerson Quartets.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Mark Schumann performs worldwide in major concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie, Cologne Philharmonie, Konzerthaus Berlin, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Victoria Hall Geneva, Suntory Hall Tokyo, and Minato Mirai Hall Yokohama. He has appeared with renowned orchestras including the MDR Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra, Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, Slovak Symphony Orchestra, and Klassische Philharmonie Bonn. His recordings have been broadcast by distinguished stations such as WDR, BR, MDR, SWR, and NHK Japan.

Alongside his solo career, Mark Schumann is a passionate chamber musician. He has collaborated with artists such as Gidon Kremer, Seiji Ozawa, Sir András Schiff, Vilde Frang, Albrecht Mayer, Menahem Pressler, Nils Mönkemeyer, Sabine Meyer, Christoph Eschenbach, and Nicolas Altstaedt. In 2007, together with his brothers Erik and Ken as well as violist Veit Hertenstein, he founded the Schumann Quartet, which went on to win numerous international competitions, including first prize at the International String Quartet Competition in Bordeaux. The ensemble has received multiple honors, among them the BBC Music Award, Opus Klassik, and the German Record Critics’ Award, and serves as Artist in Residence at the Robert Schumann Hall in Düsseldorf.

A sought-after pedagogue, Mark Schumann regularly gives masterclasses, including at the Zeist Music Days, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, and the Summer Academy in Uelzen. His discography comprises eight recordings with the Schumann Quartet, a recording of Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto and Double Concerto with his brother Erik, as well as his solo album Short Stories, dedicated to the repertoire of encore pieces.

Mark Schumann has been appointed to administer a professorship for violoncello for the winter semester 2025/26 and the summer semester 2026.

_{(Photo: Harald Hoffmann)}