Latvian cellist MĀRCIS KUPLAIS began to play the cello at the age of 6 and went on to study at the Musik-Akademie in Basel, Switzerland under Professor Ivan Monighetti. He has participated in master classes with Bernard Greenhouse, Anner Bylsma, David Geringas, Troels Svane, Chiara Banchini, Yosif Feigelson, Māris Villerušs, Jānis Laurs and others. He is a laureate of many solo and chamber music competitions, including winning first prize in the Karl Davidoff International Cello competition, A. Dombrovski International Cello competition, Lions Club Cello Competition and others.
Mārcis has given concerts in Europe, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Georgia, Brazil, Nicaragua, USA, South Korea and Japan as a soloist with various orchestras, including with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sinfonieorchester Basel, Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Georgia and other orchestras, also as a chamber music player.
His chamber music partners include Mstislav Rostropovich, Ivan Monighetti, Ana Chumachenko, Vineta Sareika, Alexander Rudin, Danjulo Ishizaka, Gerardo Vila, Silvia Simionescu and others.
Mārcis plays on a French cello, made in 1870, sponsored by Mr. Dolf Teuscher (“Teuscher” chocolate).
