Looking for thoughtful gifts for the cellists in your life, or a few treats for yourself?
This year’s Cello Museum Gift Wish List brings together practical accessories, health tools, learning resources, and performer-approved gear we’ve tested, loved, and used in real life. Whether you’re shopping for a student, a seasoned performer, or adding something special to your own studio, here are twelve cello-friendly ideas to brighten your holiday season.
Instrument Care & Practice Setup
1. Humidity Control for Your Cello
Say goodbye to mold from dripping humidfiers inside your cello. This two-way humidity system keeps your instrument safe and stable. We learned about it from a new friend at Cellofest (thank you, Stephanie!) and are happy to note that this works for all kinds of wooden instruments, including guitars, violins, violas, and double-basses. An option for reeds is available, too!
Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control (Starter Kit – Large)
Why we love this: It solves one of the most common problems for cellists—humidity swings—without the risks of dripping sponges.
2. An Accessory Tray for Your Music Stand
Always digging in bags or rummaging around shelves for your tuner, pencil, rosin, or metronome? This tray keeps everything right where you need it. Highly recommended by Erica Lessie.
Why we love this: Everything you need—pencil, rosin, tuner—finally has a home. No more scrambling between pieces or in the middle of lessons.
3. A Rosin Guard
Shattered rosin = heartbreak. This magnetic guard protects your rosin and even sticks to metal stands. Erica has been testing it and gives it a big thumbs-up. Choose from light or dark rosin.
D’Addario Rosin Guard with Dark Rosin
Why we love this: The guard protects your rosin from falls, saving you money in the long run. The magnet is a simple but brilliant bonus, making it easy to attach to a metal music stand.
4. A Bow or Accessory Shelf for Your Music Stand
A simple, handy shelf that keeps your bow safe when you need both hands free is ideal for teaching, practice, or rehearsals. Note that these attachments are designed for specific stands. Here is one for Manhasset stands which do not have a lip on the edge of the shelf. My Hamilton stand has a lip, and this shelf will not work with it.
Although the wire music holders on the Cahaya stands are sometimes useful, they don’t always work well with these shelves. For example, a friend printed this shelf for me. His are designed for Manhasset stands, and it works with the Cahaya stand shown here, but it does not quite fit the Cahaya stand with the foldable music desk that appears later on our list, because its wire music holders are slightly closer together than the Cahaya with the one-piece music desk.
This is a 3D printed shelf made by a friend’s husband.
Why we love this: Keeps your bow safe, off the sheet music desk, and always within reach—essential for teaching and rehearsing.
Musician Wellness & Injury Prevention
5. An Exercise Bar for Arm and Wrist Strength
A FlexBar is excellent for injury prevention and recovery. Our curator, Dr. Neece, has been using the green one for a couple of months and loves it, finding great for increasing strength, mobility, and flexibility.
Why we love this: It’s one of the most effective, affordable tools for arm and wrist health, suitable for both prevention and recovery.
6. Putty to Strengthen Your Hands
Similarly, TheraPutty is a wonderful tool for hand strength, dexterity, and motor skills. It comes in various levels of resistance, so select a product based on your current strength and gradually increase your resistance. Young cellists will be particularly drawn to this one (and they won’t even realize it’s a workout).
CanDo TheraPutty Standard Hand Exercise Putty
Why we love this: Perfect for building hand strength and dexterity—ideal for cellists of all ages.
Learning & Inspiration
7. A Course from the Cello Guild
Give yourself (or someone else) the gift of learning. Choose Move and Breathe, our wellness course for all musicians, or one of our cello-specific courses, such as Erica’s position classes.
Move and Breathe course
Browse all Cello Guild courses
Why we love this: Students and professionals alike can level up their playing at home. “Move and Breathe” is especially beloved for wellness.
8. A Recording
What to get the music lover in your life who doesn’t play the cello? Recordings are great for cellists and non-cellists alike. (Recommendations below appear in alphabetical order by cellist within each category.)
As on so many other occasions, we begin with Bach. This year, several outstanding cellists have released beautiful new Bach albums as well as exciting concerto, holiday, and contemporary offerings.
Bach Suites
Anastasia Kobekina — Bach: Cello Suites
Don’t miss this fresh, historically informed interpretation on gut strings and period bows.
Anastasia Kobekina — Bach: Cello Suites
Why we love this:
Kobekina blends historical technique with an inviting, modern warmth. The result is vivid, personal, and full of character. The album is perfect for Bach lovers wanting something truly fresh.
Inbal Megiddo — Bach: The Cello Suites
Another standout this year is Professor Inbal Megiddo’s gorgeous new release of the complete Bach Suites. (Watch for her interview in our first podcast episode!)
Inbal Megiddo – J.S. Bach: Cello Suites, BWV 1007–1012
Why we love this:
Megiddo brings a poetic sense of space and thoughtful phrasing to every movement. This is Bach played with depth, maturity, and heart.
Jian Wang — Bach: The Cello Suites
CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Elegant, glowing tone and exceptional clarity make this one of the standout Bach recordings of 2025. The album provides beautiful listening for any cellist or Bach enthusiast.
Cello Concertos
William Walton — Cello Concerto; Symphony No. 1; Scapino
Cellist Jonathan Aasgaard with the Sinfonia of London under John Wilson appears in a big orchestral release featuring Walton’s cornerstone 20th-century concerto.
CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Lyrical, sweeping, and unmistakably Walton. Aasgaard and the Sinfonia of London deliver energy, clarity, and a rich orchestral palette, an excellent gift for fans of 20th-century music.
Esa-Pekka Salonen — Cello Concerto
Cellist Rainer Eudeikis and the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Why we love this: A major new concerto from one of today’s leading composers that is dramatic, colorful, and thrilling. This album is a superb choice for those who enjoy powerful, modern orchestral writing.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason — Shostakovich & Britten
This new album from Sheku Kanneh-Mason (released May 2025) features major 20th-century works, including Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2 and chamber works by Shostakovich and Britten. (It could also fit our cello and piano category below.)
Vinyl/CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Sheku Kanneh-Mason delivers powerful, deeply committed performances of heavyweight repertoire — a fantastic addition to any serious cello-recording library.
Yo-Yo Ma & Boston Symphony Orchestra (Andris Nelsons) — The Shostakovich Cello Concertos
Released 2 November 2025, this recording pairs Yo-Yo Ma with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Andris Nelsons in Shostakovich’s landmark cello concertos.
Vinyl: Buy on Amazon CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: A heavyweight collaboration: one of the world’s most celebrated cellists performing with a major orchestra and conductor.
Cello and Piano
(Also see Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s Shostakovich and Britten album above, under Cello Concertos.)
Zlatomir Fung & Richard Fu — Fantasies
Released 25 April 2025, this album features opera-inspired fantasies and transcriptions for cello and piano that are virtuosic, expressive, and full of flair.
CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Creative, colorful, and technically dazzling, this album will be a wonderful addition to the collection of those who enjoy cello transcriptions of operatic themes.
Cellist Camille Thomas and Pianist Julien Brocal — The Chopin Project: Trilogy (Extended)
These elegant arrangements for cello and piano of music by Chopin and Franchomme are intimate, lyrical, and beautifully performed.
CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Camille Thomas brings a warm, expressive voice to the music of Chopin and Franchomme, transforming familiar piano works into exquisite cello-and-piano miniatures.
Vilém Vlček & Denis Linnik — Martinů: The Complete Works for Cello and Piano
Released 20 June 2025 on Supraphon, this album presents the complete cello-and-piano output of Bohuslav Martinů.
CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Superb repertoire and artistry for listeners who love cello-piano music.
Holiday Cello
Ailbhe McDonagh & Orla McDonagh — Christmas on Cello & Piano
This new album includes 34 classic carols arranged for cello and piano.
Why we love this: Warm, festive arrangements are perfect for holiday gatherings, quiet evenings, or sharing seasonal music with family and friends.
Cross-Genre / Contemporary / New Works
Maya Beiser — SALT
Released 1 August 2025, this innovative album includes the world-premiere recording of Missy Mazzoli’s mini-opera Salt for cello and voice.
Why we love this: Beiser’s creative vision and fearless approach make this a standout contemporary release with a performance that is simultaneously dramatic, genre-bending, and unforgettable.
Gautier Capuçon — Gaïa
This new album includes 17 world premieres—contemporary works written for Capuçon.
Vinyl/CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: Bold, creative, and climate change-inspired. A remarkable snapshot of where the cello is headed today.
Matt Haimovitz — La Kobsa
Released 3 September 2025, this solo-cello album features a work inspired by the Ukrainian kobza — a powerful blend of cultural memory and virtuosic expression.
Why we love this: Haimovitz transforms the cello into a vessel of resilience and story-telling. The result is a bold, compelling solo-cello release.
HAUSER — Cinema
Released 12 September 2025, this crossover project features HAUSER’s signature cello sound in a cinematic, soundtrack-inspired program.
CD: Buy on Amazon
MP3: Digital version
Why we love this: A broad-appeal cello album perfect for listeners who love Hauser and the emotionally charged side of the instrument in popular and film-music settings.
Susanna Mendlow — Travels with Cello
A global-influenced, folk-classical blend; works by Piazzolla, Adolphe, Tsintsadze, and others.
Why we love this:
Joyful, fresh, and endlessly listenable. A wonderful way to explore the cello through a global musical lens.
Tamar Sagiv — Shades of Mourning
Debut album expressing grief through music—atmospheric and deeply personal.
Why we love this: Evocative, expressive, and emotionally rich—a striking debut with a strong artistic voice.
“These experiences of personal loss, collective grief, and enduring hope became the foundation for the music in this album, each piece exploring different sides and shades of mourning.” — Tamar Sagiv
Gear Upgrades
9. A Portable Cello Chair for Life on the Go
Erica swears by these chairs, and I’ve found them incredibly handy. They are extremely portable and great for quick sessions or travel. I even use them for outdoor gigs, sometimes; grass, dirt, and other substances are easily rinsed away. It’s worth investing in a seat cushion, too, though these convenient seats are not pillars of comfort during three-hour musicals, even with a cushion!
Why we love this: Lightweight, portable, and surprisingly sturdy. They are perfect for outdoor gigs, busking, or travel.
10. A Cello Chair for Home or Stage
A favorite among many players for good reason, these chairs are comfortable, supportive, and highly adjustable. Versions are available for tall cellists and younger players as well.
Adjustrite Musician’s Chair
View at Johnson String Instrument
Why we love this: It’s comfortable, reliable, and customizable for different players. A true long-term investment.
11. A New Music Stand
What’s your favorite stand? Erica and I both love Peak portable stands. Mine was so popular it was stolen! Now I mostly use metal stands so my magnetic iPad case stays firmly in place. The Cahaya metal stands are a great option, but keep in mind that they are heavier, especially the folding one.
Cahaya Music Stand for Sheet Music
Cahaya Foldable Sheet Music Stand (Heavy, but smaller than the other Cahaya stand)
Why we love this: Whether you prefer lightweight or metal, these stands offer stability and practicality for real-world use.
Cello Museum Gifts
12. Cello Museum 2026 Calendar
Brighten your home or studio with our new art calendar. Each month features a cello (or several!) painted in the style of a master artist born that month. Be sure to explore our online Cello Museum shop for other cello-themed gifts as well.
2026 Cello Museum Art Calendar
View the 2026 Calendar
Why we love this: It’s beautiful, unique, and supports the Cello Museum! Plus, the art is a joy all year long.
Need more inspiration?
Browse our gift guides from previous years.
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