Rebecca Gilliver

Biography

Rebecca Gilliver is principal cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra. Originally joining the LSO in 2001 as co-principal she won the principal job in 2009 and has also played as guest principal with orchestras all over the world, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, New Sinfonietta Amsterdam and the World Orchestra for Peace.

Rebecca studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School with Melissa Phelps and William Pleeth and the RNCM with Moray Wesh and Ralph Kirshbaum. Success in national and international competitions such as the Fournier Award and East-West Artists led to critically acclaimed debut recitals at the Wigmore Hall in London and Carnegie Hall, New York. Rebecca has performed in major music festivals such as Bath, Bergen, and the Manchester International Cello Festival and as soloist with the Halle and the London Mozart Players.

A keen chamber musician, she has collaborated with international artists including Nikolai Znaider, Sarah Chang and Roger Vignoles with whom she recorded for BBC Radio 3. She is a regular participant at IMS Prussia Cove and a guest with the Nash Ensemble, featuring on their latest CD.  Rebecca is committed to teaching and has recently become a professor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She teaches masterclasses at the Royal Academy, the RNCM and Birmingham Conservatoire and coaches as a mentor for Future Talent, a charity encouriging young musicians from low income backgrounds.