Section Leader, Cello
Adopted by Hugh & Juliet Morton and Brian Higgins in memory of Colleen
Norwegian cellist Jonathan Aasgaard is one of the UK’s most versatile cellists, as soloist, chamber musician, studio musician, orchestral principal, teacher and explorer of new music.
Jonathan was appointed Principal Cello of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 1999 and has since performed more than 40 works for cello and orchestra with them. He regularly performs as a guest principal with several leading British and European orchestras and is principal cello of the John Wilson Orchestra. A dedicated teacher, Aasgaard is Professor of Cello at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Chamber music performances have taken him around the world, and he has appeared at a range of leading festivals alongside artists such as violinist Nigel Kennedy, violist Laurence Power, cellist Yo Yo Ma, pianist Simon Trpceski and clarinetist Martin Fröst. He’s a member of Pixels Ensemble and the Fews.
His recordings include an album of transcriptions for cello and piano with Ian Buckle (MSR Classics); From Jewish Life (Avie) with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Gerard Schwarz; an album of music by Carl Davis for cello and orchestra; a recording of Brahms' cello sonatas with Martin Roscoe (Avie); the 3 Debussy Sonatas with the Pixels Ensemble (Rubicon); and the Korngold Sextet with the Sinfonia of London Chamber Ensemble (Chandos).
He has given numerous premieres, including the world premiere of Carl Davis' Ballade for cello and orchestra, the European premiere of Giovanni Sollima's double cello concerto, the UK premiere of Weinberg’s cello concerto, the US premiere of concertos by Franz Neruda and Emil Hartmann and world premieres of dozens of solo pieces, many of which were written for him.
Jonathan studied at the Barratt Due’s institute in Oslo and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with the late Prof. Leonard Stehn, where he won all the cello and chamber music prizes and was a gold medal finalist. Jonathan plays a cello by Celeste Farotti, made in Milan in 1926.
Fun Fact:
Jonathan first started playing the piano at the age of three. He picked up the cello two years later, having first been drawn to the instrument while spending time with his grandfather, who was an eminent trombonist and amateur cellist. In fact, he and his grandfather even went to cello lessons together! Outside music, Jonathan is a huge football fan.
Who is your biggest muscial inspiration and why?
It’s hard for me to pick out a single influence because my musician self has been formed out of so many influences. However, I wouldn’t have been a musician if I hadn’t been introduced to what I’m doing in the first place – and for that I have to thank my father. My father is a great musician, a great jazz player as well as classical player, and I grew up with music all around me – it was something I lived and breathed. Probably my earliest musical experience was my father serenading me with Monteverdi on his sackbut (a brass instrument & an ancestor of the modern trombone) or Thelonious Monk on the piano while still in the womb!
What is the best thing about being a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra?
Playing for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is something I’m very, very proud of. I’ve played with a number of other orchestras, but I have never had that sense of pride and belonging as I feel here. It has something to do with the relationship we have with our audiences - the fact that I recognise so many people at concerts, I meet people in the street that recognise me, and the Liverpool audiences refer to us, the orchestra, as “our orchestra”.
What is the one piece of music that you never tire of playing?
The greatest part of working with an orchestra is the repertoire, which is so vast and varied – it spans hundreds of years of great musical minds trying to express their feelings or ideas of the world through dots on paper...I find it hugely fascinating and never grow bored of it!