Stjepan Hauser, born on June 15, 1986 in Pula, Croatia, began cello at the age of eight. Educated in Rijeka and subsequently in Zagreb, London, and Manchester, he studied with Natalia Pavlutskaya, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Bernard Greenhouse.
Hauser earned over 20 first prizes in national and international cello competitions. He has performed in more than 40 countries, appearing at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw, and Southbank Center. He was one of the last cellists to study with the legendary Rostropovich and performed in tribute concerts in Florence and London.
In 2011 he co-founded the cello duo 2CELLOS with Luka Šulić. Their cello cover of “Smooth Criminal” became an international breakthrough. They released six albums, performed on TV shows like Glee, and toured with artists such as Elton John and Croatian legend Oliver Dragojević.
After 2CELLOS disbanded in 2022, Hauser embarked on a solo career. His debut solo album Hauser Classic (2020), recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, reached #1 on the Billboard classical chart. During the pandemic, he released a series of evocative concert videos titled Alone Together, filmed at notable Croatian locations like Dubrovnik, Pula, and Krka National Park. His subsequent albums, Plays Morricone (2020) and The Player (2022), include vibrant covers of songs like “Livin' la Vida Loca”, “Waka Waka”, and “La Isla Bonita”.
Hauser’s artistry is defined by emotional depth, a blend of classical virtuosity and pop flair, and compelling stage presence. With relentless attention to detail and a perfectionist drive, he brings together romantic expression, rhythmic richness, and modern presentation in each performance.
