Tecchler’s Cello: From Cambridge to Rome / Guy Johnston

       Guy Johnston (cello), Choir of King’s College Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury

Matthews, D: Ein Celloleben  5:32

Guy Johnston (cello)

Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 5 in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 ‘The Ghost’  29:28

Magnus Johnston (violin), Tom Poster (piano), Guy Johnston (cello)

Simpson, M: Un Regalo  6:26

Guy Johnston (cello)

Barrière, J-B: Six Cello Sonatas, Book 4, Sonata No. 4 for Two Cellos in G Major  9:34

Guy Johnston, Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cellos)

Bray, C: Perseus  7:55

Guy Johnston (cello), Tom Poster (piano)

Respighi: Adagio con variazioni  10:56

Guy Johnston (cello), Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Carlo Rizzari

Barcode: 822231702627
Format: CD, Album
Country: UK
Released: 2017
Genre: Classical
Style: Choral, Contemporary, Classical, Romantic

⁠Guy Johnston, one of our most exciting and versatile British cellists, began his musical journey as a chorister in the world-renowned Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, under the tutelage of Stephen Cleobury. He went on to achieve early success through the BBC Young Musician of the Year title, the Shell London Symphony Orchestra Gerald MacDonald Award, and receiving a Classical Brit Award. Guy now plays a 1714 Tecchler cello and in its third centenary he set out to celebrate the life of the instrument, and its creator, commissioning a number of new works. He explains: “I began to ask myself lots of questions – How did David Tecchler end up settling in Rome, who was he making cellos for, and how did this cello come into my hands? What is my journey and role as a cellist in the 21st century? I decided to mark this anniversary by commissioning three works as gifts for the cello by celebrated British composers David Matthews, Mark Simpson and Charlotte Bray. I asked them to think of the role of the cello in the last three centuries and to let their imagination run wild.” Guy’s inspiration led him to Italy, taking his cello back home to get to the root of some of these questions. Joined by friends from both countries, recorded at locations close to his heart, and featuring works from across his cello’s 300 years, this album traces that musical journey, from Cambridge to Rome. This release is presented by King’s College, Cambridge and joins the King’s Choir’s critically-acclaimed recordings, including Bach’s ‘St John Passion’, recently released on the anniversary of its first performance. Guy’s discography includes celebrated albums for Naxos, Harmonia Mundi and Chandos.