Richard May
Richard May is one of Britain’s most
outstanding cellists. Since winning the BBC Young Musician of the
Year competition, he has pursued an international career as soloist
and chamber musician. He has performed most of the major cello
concerti with such orchestras as the Basel Symphony Orchestra, the
Ulster Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic. This has taken him
throughout the UK, Europe, South Africa, Japan, Chile and the USA,
appearing at the Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Barbican, and
festivals in Salzburg, Berlin and Aldeburgh. His London debut
recital at the Purcell Room included the world premiere of Five
Duos for cello and piano written for him by Colin Matthews.
Richard studied with Florence Hooton
at Royal Academy of Music and afterwards with William Pleeth, Paul
Tortelier and Thomas Demenga. Past prizes include the National
Federation of Music Societies Award and the EMI Jacqueline Du Pre
Competition. He has given masterclasses at the National Academy of
Music, Kiev and was also invited to perform Vivaldi Double
Concertos with Nigel Kennedy.
Richard is also cellist of the
Angell Piano Trio, which is the Ensemble-in-Residence at the
Britten-Pears School and performs throughout the UK and Europe,
often for radio. The New York Times said of them, ‘It would be hard
to imagine a more powerful performance.’ Richard is an Associate of
the Royal Academy of Music and also teaches at Wells Cathedral
Specialist Music School as well as Artist-in-Residence at Stowe
School.