Laurie Israel (baroque cello)

Instruments: I play on an anonymous English cello dating from somewhere in the last half of the 1700s, modified as a baroque instrument, with a Hill-replica baroque bow made by Harry Grabenstein, a baroque bow by Louis Begin, and a Dodd-style classic bow made by Boyd Paulsen. The cello has a beautiful, rich, complex, even sound. My baroque violin is an Amati replica by Warren Ellison. My baroque violin bow is a early 18th century reproduction (the so-called “Bob Seletsky” bow) by Harry Grabenstein. I also own and play a harpischord made by Peter Sykes and Jacques Way in 1991. This is a German / Italian continuo harpsichord that is versatile in many baroque styles and has a beautiful tinging, mordent sound.

Laurie Israel has performed in King's Chapel, Loring Greenough House, Shirley-Eustis House, Boston Early Music Festival, Goethe-Institut, and other venues and concert series in Boston and New England.

Laurie Israel studied music at Barnard College, University of California, Manhattan School of Music and Longy School of Music. She combines her interest in musicology, music theory and analysis as well as performance in baroque performance practice informed by modern sensibility. Her concerts are engaging, interesting and inspirational. She has been playing cello for over 50 years.


vibrant interpretations of seldom-performed baroque treasures