Steffan Rees, ’cello

Steffan Rees was born in 1982 and has been playing the 'cello since the age of eight. He was an academic scholar and music exhibitioner at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated in music in 2004. He studied ’cello with Jonathan Tunnell and in 2003 performed Haydn’s D Major Concerto in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford; he has also played Elgar’s ’Cello Concerto with Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra in Barnes and on tour in Barcelona, and with the Christ Church Festival Orchestra. At Oxford he was the ’cellist for ensemble ISIS, the resident contemporary music group for the Music Faculty, a position which combined his practical studies with his interest in composition. He is he now continuing his practical studies with Melissa Phelps at the Royal College of Music.

'The concert’s high point was undoubtedly the Elgar ’Cello Concerto, with a soloist, Steffan Rees, who is still in his third year as a Christ Church undergraduate. It was wonderful to hear this tragic work, perhaps rendered over-familiar by Jacqueline du Pré recordings, interpreted in a completely different way. Even in the opening dramatic chords, Rees eschewed dramatic declamation in favour of an inward, meditative approach. It was soon clear that here was an acute musical intelligence, evident in every phrase - the gentle Lento and Adagio movements were quite wonderful.’ Hugh Vickers, The Oxford Times, 27 February 2004.