Cellos
The Cello (or Violoncello) is an instrument with a vast range, starting from 2 octaves below middle C and extending up almost 5 octaves. It has a huge array of tonal possibilities, being one of the most versatile and striking instruments of the orchestra.
The cello can supply and effortless bass line or hold the melody with its richness and power.
Listen below to the sound of a solo cello or small cello section.
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*Soloist Alexandra Mackenzie
Some of the cellists who play regularly with Stringsection include:
Alexandra Mackenzie
Alexandra studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she graduated with a BMus (First Class Hons.) a performance diploma and prizes including the Patten Award and Carr Prize. She gained a Masters degree and Artists Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music. She has participated in many music festivals including Tanglewood, Sarasota, Yellow Barn and Ravinia.
Alexandra has toured throughout Europe, North America and Asia as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. She has performed with numerous orchestras in New York and Europe.
An avid chamber musician and passionate supporter of new music she performs at the 'Conversational Concerts' series at the Warehouse, London. Alexandra can frequently be heard on National Public Radio in New York and has played for Classic FM, Radio 3, the World Service and German National Radio.
She has recorded for VOX records, SONY records, NAXOS and Oxford Classics. The latter of which includes a set of Mozart String Quartets. Alexandra has notably appeared at Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall, Alice Tully Hall, The Royal Albert Hall and the Southbank.
She has recorded with artists as diverse as Michael Jackson, Ghostface Killah, the 'Choir Boys' and renowned jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln. In her work with the London Symphony Orchestra she was part of the backing tracks for the best selling album of the year in the US - Josh Groban's 'Noel'.
Alexandra plays on a Matthew Hardy cello, made in 1818, purchased with help from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts.
Anna Mowat
Anna studied cello at the Royal Academy of Music, from where she graduated with a first class honours degree. She went on to complete her studies at the RAM as a postgraduate with Mats Lidstrom, supported by the Suggia Scholarship, South Square Trust and the Martin Musical Trust.
Anna was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra from 1999-2003 (including Principal) with whom she toured under Ashkenazy, Paavo Jarvi, Sir Colin Davis and James Conlan.
Since then she has played with many leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, the Halle, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and is in demand as a chamber musician. Anna has performed at the Rye Festival, the Bath Pump Rooms, the City of London Festival of Music and St Martins in the Fields and has a busy recital schedule both in the UK and overseas.