Nigel Blomiley – cello

The Programme

Nigel Blomiley – cello

Suite No 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourrées 1 + 2
Gigue

Suite No 1 in G major, BWV 1007
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourrées 1 + 2
Gigue

The Artist

Nigel Blomiley is one of the most distinguished principal cellists in the country. Pierre Fournier, with whom he studied, described his playing as ‘very musical’ and ‘creating a marvelous atmosphere’. Bernard Greenhouse described him as ‘a damn fine cellist’. Largely self-taught, Nigel did not begin any musical training until he was fourteen; six years later he was playing professionally and soon established himself as a principal player in the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. In 1981 he was appointed principal cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra with whom he toured globally. He worked with the broadest spectrum of artists from the likes of Sir Charles Mackerras and Yehudi Menuhin to Sir Cliff Richard and Dionne Warwick. He also featured regularly as a soloist with the Orchestra in many major UK venues for both Radio and Television.

Nigel relinquished his post with the Concert Orchestra in 2005, to devote more time to chamber music and teaching, which has always been part of his activities. He was a member of the Ad Solem Ensemble which was resident at Manchester University and also formed Archi da Camera, a string sextet which performed in many national venues. In 2014 he formed the Anern Trio with violinist Lisa Ueda and viola player Ian Byrne Brito.

He has a serious commitment to developing and nurturing musical talent in young people, and has held long-term appointments at Chetham’s School of Music and the Purcell School. He has also worked as a guest tutor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was cello sectional tutor for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales for a number of years and has held a similar post for Essex Youth Orchestra for thirty years.