Anner Bylsma

Anner Bylsma (1934–2019) was a Dutch cellist and leading figure in the historically informed performance movement. Born in The Hague, he studied at the Royal Conservatory and became principal cellist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra before focusing on solo and chamber work. Bylsma championed period instruments and Baroque repertoire, recording landmark albums of Bach’s Cello Suites on gut strings for Sony Classical and later for Deutsche Harmonia Mundi. He collaborated frequently with violinist Lucy van Dael and lutenist Hopkinson Smith, and taught at the Royal Conservatory and the Amsterdam Conservatory. His scholarly yet expressive approach influenced generations of cellists and helped redefine standards for early-music performance.