"...proved himself an extremely well equipped cellist, drawing from his instrument a rich and vibrant done in passages of lyricism with a stock of virtuosity." (London Review) "The American cellist proved to have an impressively big tone in his recital at Wigmore Hall." (The Daily Telegraph, London)

uch comments continue in praise of cellist Geoffrey Rutkowski. His extraordinary talent and gift for music was channeled into study at an early age. Recognized as a more than promising cellist, he was chosen by Pablo Casals for personal instruction in Puerto Rico and was awarded a Ford Foundation Grant for his study. This was followed by studies with the eminent cellist, William Pleeth in London. "Destined for fame and success. a freshness of expression permeated with breath and life, precision and technical virtuosity went hand in hand." (The Daily Telegraph, London)

Mr. Rutkowski's impressive career has taken him to major cities in Europe and Southeast Asia for recital and concerto engagements. Following his London debut, he appeared in Holland, Norway and Poland. Return bookings to Europe have taken him to the south of France, Ireland, England Portugal and Italy. He also toured South East Asia as a representative of the United States Government. For two successive seasons he was invited to perform in the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino where he was Solo-Principal Cellist under such eminent conductors as Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Colin Davis and Mistaslav Rostropovitch in addition to performing solo and chamber music concerts with the esteemed Musicus Concentus.

In the spring of 1985, at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Rutkowski toured the Peoples Republic of China, giving master classes and concerts. He has also performed in recitals and given master classes in Mexico and Taiwan. In 1999 and 2000, Mr. Rutkowski returned to Italy to perform recitals with Giuseppe Fausto Modugno. They will be performing again in April 2002 in Northern Italy.

In April, 2000 they recorded the two Brahms' Sonatas which was released in Italy in 2002 by Ermitage. Mr. Rutkowski is Distinguished Professor of Cello at the University of California, Santa Barbara and is Chair of the String Department. He plays a Mateo Goefriller cello dated 1689.