by Ben Hogwood Photo (c) unknown

This week we learned the very sad news of the death of talented cellist David Watkin, at the age of 60. Watkin had to stop playing cello 11 years ago due to scleroderma, but as this moving tribute from fellow Scottish Chamber Orchestra cellist Su-a Lee shows, he was a much-loved character whose influence continued to be an overwhelmingly positive one.

I had the good fortune to witness David in action for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and his charismatic playing – with good humour clear to see – left a lasting mark. I am sure that in addition to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra the members of The Academy of Ancient Music, The King’s Consort and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire Et Romantique – to name just three ensembles Watkin played with – would concur.

Watkin made relatively few commercial recordings, but it is very much a case of quality over quantity. His collection of Vivaldi Cello Sonatas for Hyperion is proof of that:

Even more deserving of praise is his cycle of Bach Cello Suites, made for Resonus and carrying remarkable poise and personality, which these two excerpts illustrate:

Published post no.2,535 – Friday 16 May 2025