Welcome to our community page! Here we will be publicising cellists’ activity so we can all stay connected, informed and reassured that musical life is continuing. Let us know what you’re up to, whether you’re extending your teaching practice online, posting inspirational videos or livestreaming concerts, so we can include it on this page.

Apple and Biscuit Recordings

Apple and Biscuit Recordings was founded by cellist Alexander Barnes in 2006, making high quality musical recordings and films for his musician colleagues. Alex worked as a professional cellist, performing on one of Robin’s copies of the Marquis de Corberon.

Apple and Biscuit Recordings offer location livestreams, film, sound recordings and photographs of sessions and live performances, as well as post-production, editing and mastering. Please see our website for more details, and give us a call to discuss your next project!

Click here for a live film we made of Stephen Isserlis performing Bach on the original Marquis de Corberon.

Here’s a recent film we made with Maxim Vengerov discussing his performances with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. https://youtu.be/xzhmU9kG_4s

www.appleandbiscuit.com 020 8191 1870

Art for music by Lili Holland-Fricke

 Lili is a cellist based in Manchester.
‘Alongside music, I’ve also always made time to make art. I love exploring the relationships between music and art, and most of the paintings I do are inspired by pieces of music and songs that I love. I try to transform the sounds I hear into marks on the page – the contour of a melody might inspire the shape of a line, harmonies could be found in clouds of colour, a musical texture might be changed into a visual texture.  It inspires me to search for ways that music and art can exist in the same place, intertwined and enhancing one another. I believe that art can be like subtitles for understanding music which seems like a foreign language, and music can be something alive that breathes movement into static art. They each give something to the other that enables both media to exist symbiotically and be more universally understood and felt.’

https://www.soundseeing.co.uk/

Ayriel Studios

Nestled in the panoramic valley of Westerdale within the North York Moors National Park, Ayriel Studios is a unique recording and living environment for musicians in two insulated barns into a state-of-the-art, soundproofed recording studio and control.  Complete with a Steinway Model D as well as a Bluthner concert grand piano, self-contained accommodation, kitchens and office, this is a true haven for artists of all genres. 

https://www.ayrielstudios.com/

October House Records

Robert Cohen Lectures and Interview

Throughout his international career, Robert Cohen has been hailed as one of the foremost cellists of our time “It is easy to hear what the fuss is about, he plays like a God” (New York Stereo Review). Cohen is an inspirational teacher and lecturer and has given masterclasses at conservatoires, music courses and festivals throughout the world. As Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, London he filmed a series of lectures in lockdown 2020 to help support and motivate musicians and to pass on his thoughts about keeping positive in such difficult times. We would like to share these with you, plus an interview he gave for RAMPage ‘Life in lockdown’.

Lectures: youtube.com/c/RobertCohenCello

Royal Academy of Music RAMPage interview: https://tinyurl.com/u3narwkw

Elizabeth Upton – Cambridge Cello School

At the start of the pandemic, I began my YouTube channel, the “Cambridge Cello School” and have published over 130 free videos on the art of the cello – offering a digest of various techniques, repertoire, and supportive ideas. My approach is holistic – where the balance of the mind, body and breath form ergonomic cello techniques, which in turn make a difference to “sound architecture” and help the cellist better reach their personal musical goals. My inspirations as a musician and cellist stem from formative tuition with Pamela Hind O’Malley, Joan Dickson, Melissa Phelps and Tim Hugh, as well as visiting artists at Pro Corda in my youth – including Jane Cowan, who founded the International Cello Centre.

Steve Bingham – Touch

Touch is a new 10 track covers album by world-renowned eclectic violinist Steve Bingham. It will be released on 1st May 2021 on CD and as a digital download, and is available to pre-order now at the special price of £8.50! (digital download – £7.50)

” I wanted to release some of the music I had used for videos on my YouTube channel, alongside some new covers, in particular a version of Signal To Noise by Peter Gabriel. I’ve remixed all the tracks, and in many cases completely re-recorded them too, working with sound engineer Mark Fawcett. I’ve been joined on the journey by some superb musicians, including the members of my own string quartet, along with the amazing Chris Brannick on percussion, John Jowitt – prog bassist extraordinaire! – on bass guitar, and my daughter Jennifer Bingham on vocals. In many ways this album is my response to lockdown: Many of the musicians recorded at home for me, and several of the tracks reflect the difficulties we have all faced over the past year, including loneliness and depression. ”

Pre-order here: https://hea-r.me/product/touch/

Joost van Dongen – The Ageless Gate

The Ageless Gate is the atmospheric debut album by cellist Joost van Dongen. An album full of instrumental music that invokes strong images. Together, the 13 songs tell a tale that spans three centuries, starting with a mysterious artefact and culminating in a gate to another world. The story is told by short text pieces in between the songs, voiced by voice actor Chris Einspahr.

“Cello is mostly known as a classical instrument and a background instrument, but it’s so much more than that. I enjoy experimenting and exploring the possibilities of the instrument. My inspiration comes from rock, minimal music and game soundtracks. The leading role for the cello really makes it something special.”

Find links for the CD, listening online and the sheet music here: http://agelessgate.joostvandongen.com/

Stephen Orton – Chamber music and general performance coaching for students and young professionals

Stephen Orton was born in Ripon, Yorkshire, and studied with William Pleeth at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was Principal Cello in the Bournemouth Sinfonietta before spending four years in the English Chamber Orchestra, enjoying working at the Aldeburgh festival. In 1985 Stephen became Principal Cello with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and has performed as a concerto soloist many times with the orchestra. He has been Principal Cello with the City of London Sinfonia and was a member of the Delmé Quartet for ten years, and has acted as guest Principal Cello with the London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia. Stephen has a wide experience of chamber music, being a member of the Academy Chamber Ensemble, touring internationally and making numerous recordings. He has often played the Schubert Quintet with the Chilingirian Quartet, which he joined in 2013. He decided to leave the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in December 2020, to make himself more available to encourage young students and coach chamber groups.

Please contact Stephen by email to enquire about coaching.

Julia Morneweg – Youtube masterclasses

Cellist, Julia Morneweg, has started a YouTube channel full of masterclass videos covering lots of aspects of cello technique as well as pieces on the current ABRSM syllabus. The videos are in-depth guides explaining the necessary processes and more teaching content can be found on her Instagram account www.instagram.com/cello_julia/ and blog www.juliamorneweg.com.

YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCmfc1pGvvlrVuDinkZPbSSg

Ollie Mansfield

Ollie Mansfield helps recitalists to increase their opportunities to perform using digital technology. Building an online audience base is a crucial part of this. When you know you that 30 people will support your work. Pay for your performances. You can create with confidence.

To get practical advice on how to do this, sign up for the Digital Recitalist weekly email. (www.olliemansfield.com/subscribe)

Ollie is also a freelance cellist and teaches at Junior Trinity. He studied at Birmingham Conservatoire, Trinity Laban and with the wonderful Sue Lowe.

Ruth Phillips – The Breathing Bow

Are you struggling in lockdown, finding it hard to motivate yourself? Are you searching for ease or looking for support in practicing more mindfully? Cellist, Ruth Phillips, is internationally sought after as a performance coach and stringed instrument teacher, helping people who suffer from tension, stage fright or lack of focus overcome the physical and mental strains of being a musician. Her warm, wise and humorous approach might be exactly what you need. 

Check out her classes On InsideOut Musician: The Zen Practice Room  Mindful Modes and Limber Up on InsideOut Musician, or book a one to one on The Breathing Bow. 

Europik Music

Europik Music is designed to support young artists, orchestras, and chamber music ensembles throughout the production and promotion of digital content such as performance and audition videos, or digital releases of a single or an album.

We are organising our own CREATIVE EVENTS, providing a wide range of AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES and supporting artists via our new CONCERTS HUB.

Europik Music is regularly setting up livestreaming concerts, working as a video editor for the Marketing Department of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance as well as producing performance videos clips for various artists in London. We recently recorded for the label Dux; attached to Naxos, a contemporary work for cello and electronics Près by Saariaho. The album will be released later this year.

Europik Music Portoflio: https://europikmusic.com/portfolio/

Website: europikmusic.com

Contact: europik@europikmusic.com

Nerys Clark – Memories

I recorded my own album during the pandemic and it’s available as a signed copy or digital download. The album is a selection of classic and popular songs arranged and performed by myself for cello and piano. It can be purchased via my website at www.nerysclark.com

Jonathan Ayling – RPO at Home

Over lockdown, Jonathan Ayling, co-principal cello of the Royal Philharmonic has been learning the Bach C Minor Suite.

I’ve been documenting my progress with each movement, firstly for RPO online and then for my own social media as well. I’d love to to spread the word about new makers and how high the standard is.

See more here: rpo.co.uk/about/rpo-blog/431-jonathan-aylings-bach-video-diary

Justin Pearson – Chasing the Dragon

During lockdown, cellist, Justin Pearson, recorded the Bach Cello Suites live.

CHASING THE DRAGON – J.S. Bach Cello Suites – 5 LP Audiophile Box Set is available for pre-order at: thevinyladventure.com/product/chasing-the-dragon-j-s-bach-cello-suites-5-lp-audiophile-box-set/

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