Xavier Phillips


Xavier Phillips is a French contemporary classical cellist, the brother of violinist Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian.

Biography

Xavier Phillips started learning the cello at the age of 6. He entered the Conservatoire de Paris in 1986 and studied with Philippe Muller. He obtained the First Prize of the Conservatory in 1989. After a third prize at the Rostropovich Competition in 1989, he continued his training with Mstislav Rostropovitch, who particularly noticed him. They worked together for a dozen years, the master inviting him regularly as a soloist of the orchestras he was led to direct.
Xavier Phillips premiered the Cello Concerto by Jean-Louis Agobet in Caen on 19 March 2010.
Xavier Phillips plays on a 1710 made cello by Matteo Goffriller.

Selected discography