Paul Watkins (musician)

Paul Watkins (born 1970) is a Welsh classical cellist and conductor. His brother is the composer Huw Watkins. Watkins studied cello with William Pleeth, Melissa Phelps and Johannes Goritzki. In 1988, he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year in the string section. From 1990 to 1997, he was principal cellist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

For other people named Paul Watkins, see Paul Watkins (disambiguation).

Watkins joined the Emerson String Quartet in the 2013-14 season, replacing the departing cellist David Finckel. He was previously a cellist with the Nash Ensemble,[1][2] with whom he has made several commercial recordings.[3][4] He was the musician-in-residence at the 2005 Fishguard Festival.[5]

Watkins has made five concerto appearances at The BBC Proms, including the 2007 First Night.[6] In March 2006 he premiered a new concerto by Richard Rodney Bennett with the Philharmonia at South Bank Centre, recording it two months later. His commercial recordings include the first recording of the cello concerto of Cyril Scott.[7]

Watkins developed an additional interest in conducting, and won first prize and audience prize at the 2002 Leeds Conductors' Competition. His first conducting appearance with the London Philharmonic Orchestra was in February 2006.[8] As a conductor, he has recorded for the Warner Classics label.[9] He became Associate Conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) in the 2007-2008 season. In June 2009, the ECO named Paul Watkins its music director, effective with the 2009-2010 season, for an initial contract of 3 years.[10] Watkins became principal guest conductor of the Ulster Orchestra from 2009-2012.[11] He has also served as guest conductor of the CityMusic Cleveland chamber orchestra.

Watkins plays on a cello made by Domenico Montagnana and Matteo Goffriller, c 1730.[12]

References
  1. George Hall (20 February 2007). "Nash Ensemble (Wigmore Hall, London)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  2. Erica Jeal (8 March 2007). "Nash Ensemble (Wigmore Hall, London)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  3. Andrew Clements (3 June 2005). "Saint-Saëns: Piano Quartet; Piano Quintet; Septet; Oboe Sonata etc, Nash Ensemble". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  4. Andrew Clements (25 May 2007). "Brahms: String Sextets, Nash Ensemble". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  5. Rian Evans (2 August 2005). "Watkins/ Roscoe (Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  6. Erica Jeal (16 July 2007). "BBCSO/Belohlavek (Royal Albert Hall, London; Prom 1)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  7. Andrew Clements (15 February 2008). "Scott: Symphony No 1; Cello Concerto, Watkins/ BBCPO/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  8. Tim Ashley (15 February 2006). "LPO/Watkins/Osborne (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  9. Andrew Clements (13 February 2004). "Berg and Britten: Violin Concertos, Hope/ BBC Symphony/ Watkins Warner Classics". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  10. Martin Cullingford, "Paul Watkins named ECO music director". Gramophone, 19 June 2009.
  11. "Paul Watkins". IMG Artists. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  12. "Paul Watkins". IMG Artists. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
Preceded by
Ralf Gothóni (Principal Conductor)		 Music Director, English Chamber Orchestra
2009-present		 Succeeded by
incumbent
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