Branch Fields was born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. From a young age, Fields showed a natural talent for music and began playing the cello at the age of four. Fields received his early music education at the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division, where he studied with renowned cellist David Soyer. He later went on to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Peter Wiley and Carter Brey. Throughout his career, Fields has performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle, and Riccardo Muti. One of Fields' most notable performances was his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2008, where he performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto under the baton of Lorin Maazel. The performance was met with critical acclaim, with The New York Times praising Fields' "rich, warm tone and impeccable technique." Fields has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2006, he won first prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world. He has also been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Leonard Bernstein Fellowship. In addition to his work as a soloist, Fields is also an active chamber musician. He has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Guarneri Quartet. He is also a founding member of the Harlem Quartet, a string quartet dedicated to promoting diversity in classical music. Fields is known for his commitment to music education and outreach. He has worked with numerous organizations to bring classical music to underserved communities and has served as a mentor to young musicians. In 2015, he was appointed as a faculty member at the Juilliard School, where he teaches cello. Throughout his career, Fields has been praised for his technical mastery, musical sensitivity, and deep understanding of the music he performs. He continues to be one of the most sought-after cellists of his generation and a leading figure in the world of classical music.

More....