Nigel Blomiley
Cello

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ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE

 

Positions Held:

  • BBC Concert Orchestra – Principal (1981 – 2005)
  • BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra – Assistant Principal (1970 – 1981)

Freelance:

  • Hallé Orchestra

 

  • Conductors include: Sir Adrian Boult ▪ Sir John Pritchard ▪ Sir John Barbirolli ▪ Sir Charles Mackerras ▪ Barry Wordsworth ▪ Sir Charles Groves ▪ Vernon Handley ▪ Norman del Mar ▪ Raymond Leppard ▪ Sir Peter Maxwell Davies ▪ Sir Edward Downes ▪ Bryden Thomson ▪ George Hurst ▪ Jan Krenz ▪ Rudolf Barshai ▪ Ashley Lawrence ▪ Marcus Dods ▪ Robert Farnon ▪ Burt Bacharach ▪ Malcolm Arnold ▪ Witold Lutoslawski ▪ Olivier Messian ▪ Aaron Copland

 

 

CHAMBER EXPERIENCE

 

  • Ad Solem Ensemble (Resident at Manchester University)
  • Archi da Camera (String Sextet)

 


TEACHING & COACHING

§         Manchester Grammar School & Hopwood College of Education – Cello Tutor

§         Manchester University – Cello Tutor & member of Ad Solem Ensemble

§         Chethams School of Music – Tutor * Sectional Tutor * Chamber Music * Conductor

  • Purcell School of Music. Tutor * Sectional Tutor
  • The Royal Academy of Music – Deputy for Alexander Baillie
  • National Youth Orchestra of Wales – Cello Tutor
  • Private tuition since 1968 to date including undergraduate students

 

 

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 marvellous atmosphere”.

Largely self taught, Nigel Blomiley did not begin any musical training until he was fourteen years old, by twenty he was playing professionally and soon established himself on the front desk of the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra.

 

Since 1981 since he was appointed principal cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra, Nigel has toured in Spain, Italy, Germany as well as North America, Japan and Hong Kong. He has worked with distinguished conductors including Sir Charles Mackerras, Vernon Handley, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and world-renowned soloists such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Yehudi Menuhin, Cliff Richard, and Dionne Warwick. He also featured regularly as a soloist with the Orchestra at many major venues in the U.K and for radio and television broadcasts. Nigel recently relinquished this post with the Concert Orchestra to devote more time to chamber-music and teaching.

 

As a chamber musician, 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 may national venues.

 

He has a serious commitment to developing and nurturing musical talent in young people, having had long term appointments at Chetham’s School of Music and the Purcell School. Nigel has also made guest visits to the Royal Academy of Music on London. He was also coach of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

 

 

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