Biography
New York born violist Marc Sabbah has been named BBC Music Magazine's "Instrumental Choice" of August 2026 and recipient of 5 out of 5 stars for his landmark recording of J.S. Bach's Six Suites for Cello on viola, critics praised his playing as "superbly eloquent" with a tone that is "beautifully focused" and phrasing that "continually draws the listener's attention." Praised by The Strad for his devoted, versatile, and thoughtful interpretations, his artistry is described as carrying listeners "away to a higher dimension." Acclaimed by Klassiek Centraal for a "sober, almost contemplative approach" and "natural, breathing phrasing," his performances reveal an enduring depth that invites repeated listening. Whether on the international concert stage or in the recording studio, Marc Sabbah continues to redefine the possibilities of the viola as a solo instrument of monumental expression.
Marc Sabbah began his musical training at an early age in some of the city’s premier arts institutions, including the 3rd Street Music School Settlement and the Lucy Moses School, where he studied with Mark Lakirovich. He attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and completed studies at The Juilliard School (Pre-College Division).
Seeking to refine his artistic voice, Marc moved to Europe to study at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Working under the guidance of Sven Arne Tepl and world-renowned violist Nobuko Imai, he graduated Cum Laude. His technical foundation was further enriched through masterclasses with legends such as Pinchas Zukerman, Lawrence Power, Kim Kashkashian, and Anner Bijlsma.
Photo: Sarah Wijzenbeek
Praised by maestro Zubin Mehta as "a magnificent player" and dubbed the "Paganini of the Viola" by the late violin master Ivry Gitlis, Marc has carved out a distinguished global career as both a soloist and orchestral leader.
From 2012 to 2024, he served as solo violist of the Belgian National Orchestra (KBO/ONB). His expertise on the orchestral stage has also led to guest principal invitations with leading international ensembles, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Brussels Philharmonic, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra (Nederlands Kamerorkest), and the Orchestre National de Lille.
Photo: Sarah Wijzenbeek
As a concert soloist, Marc has performed major viola concerti with prestigious orchestras worldwide, including the Bruch Double Concerto with the Belgian National Orchestra, the Hummel Potpourri with the Athens State Orchestra, and solo concerti with the Antalya State Orchestra, Philharmonisches Orchester Basel, Hochrheinisches Kammerorchester, Casco Philharmonic, Filarmónica de Bogotá, and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Coahuila in Mexico.
Marc Sabbah is the First Prize winner of the Amsterdam National Viola Competition (2014), the Manhattan International Music Competition (2016), the Rising Stars Grand Prix (2016), and the Horowitz International Competition (2004). These prestigious accolades led to solo recital performances at world-renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Berlin Philharmonie.
A passionate chamber musician, Marc is a founding member of Trio NOMADA alongside cellist David Cohen (Principal Cello, London Symphony Orchestra) and violinist Noé Inui. His recitals and chamber music performances have taken him to renowned international stages and festivals, including the Verbier Festival (where he shared the stage with Ivry Gitlis), the Oxford Chamber Music Festival, the Varna Festival in Bulgaria, the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, and the International Viola Congress in Rotterdam.
In addition to his global touring schedule, highlighted by a Japan recital debut in Niigata featuring a world premiere by Kensaku Shimizu, Marc was a driving force in cultural leadership as founder and, from 2024 to 2026, musical director of the Cameristica Chamber Music Festival in Brussels.
'Intensity and conviction set this duo apart'
— The Strad
Marc’s recordings have received widespread international praise from critics and major publications. Recorded in a monumental three-day session, his album of J.S. Bach's 6 Suites for Solo Viola (arranged for viola) earned the title of "Instrumental Album of the Month" from BBC Music Magazine and was praised by The Strad for its passionate commitment and rare sophistication. His release AppassionAlto on Prospero Classical alongside pianist Eliane Reyes showcases rare viola and piano repertoire, with The Strad highlighting the duo’s performance for its compelling, almost unbearable intensity.
"Sabbah's tone is beautifully focused, with vibrato sparingly used as an effective tool for phrasing. These carefully crafted performances continuously hold the listener's attention."
— BBC Music Magazine
A dedicated educator committed to mentoring the next generation of string players, Marc was appointed Professor of Viola at the Royal Conservatory of Mons (ARTS²) in Belgium in 2017. His holistic approach to teaching focuses on unlocking each student's artistic voice, building unshakable self-confidence, and fostering human growth alongside technical mastery.
He regularly presents masterclasses at top conservatories and institutions globally, including the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, Conservatorio Superior de Música de Salamanca, Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias in Tenerife, Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam, the Dutch Viola Society in Dordrecht, and through online international educational exchanges with Brazil and Venezuela. His students have gone on to win positions in international orchestras and prestigious orchestral academies across Europe.
Since 2020, Marc Sabbah has served as an Official International Ambassador for Jargar Strings, performing primarily on a 1951 Leroy F. Geiger viola (Chicago, USA) and a 1998 contemporary viola by Thomas Meuwissen (Brussels, Belgium).
Photo: Sarah Wijzenbeek