Liav Kerbel

Biography

Belgian-Israeli cellist, Liav Kerbel, is increasingly recognized as a versatile and dynamic musician. He performs repertoire ranging from 18th century Baroque to the cutting edge repertoire of the 21st century. An enthusiastic traveler, he has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe and North America. His playing was described as “inspiring” and “deeply touching” by the great violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov.

He is a major prizewinner at several international competitions, the most recent being the winner at the Manhattan School of Music’s EisenbergFried concerto competition where he performed the Shostakovich cello concerto No.1. He was also awarded the 3rd prize and two special prizes at the Gershwin International Strings Competition, which gave him the opportunity to give his in Carnegie Hall- Weill Recital Hall debut in 2018. In June 2016 Liav made his Center for Fine Arts of Brussels debut performing the Brahms Double Concerto together with violinist Maxim Vengerov and the Belgian National Orchestra. A few years later, he performed Vivaldi’s Double Cello Concerto with the eminent cellist Mischa Maisky, who later described Liav as a “young exceptional musician”. Other performances include appearances with the Chamber Orchestra of Bulgaria and Nuove Musiche with Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and appearances with the Belorussian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Pleven Symphonic Orchestra and the Flemish Symphony Orchestra.

Liav has had the honor to perform for many influential musicians including Renaud Capucon, Ivry Gitlis, Clive Greensmith, Frans Helmerson, Steven Isserlis, Hans Jørgen-Jensen, Heinrich Schiff, Ferenc Rados, Jian Wang, Uzi Wiesel, the Borromeo String Quartet and the Talich String Quartet.

A passionate chamber musician, Liav has participated in numerous summer festivals including the Perlman Music Program, the Musica Mundi chamber music course and festival in Belgium where he had the opportunity to perform the third movement of the R.Schumann piano quartet with the great pianist Menahem Pressler, the festival MusicAlp in France and the Verbier Festival Academy in Switzerland where he received the “Prix JeanNicholas Firmenich” for his outstanding performances in the festival.

Liav started his musical studies in Belgium with Prof. Claudine Steenackers and Prof. Vladimir Perlin. He now holds a Bachelor of Music degree as a recipient of the International Advisory Board scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music as a student of Prof. Philippe Muller. In 2021, he earned his Masters degree at the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Prof. Laurence Lesser. He is currently enrolled at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, where he is working with Prof. Giovanni Gnocchi. 

Liav plays on an instrument by Giovanni Battista Ceruti, made in Cremona in 1798, generously granted on an extended loan from the Bank DELEN in Belgium, and a private donor.