New String Professors Join the RCM
Thursday 29 September 2016
The Royal College of Music is delighted to announce the appointment of cellists Raphael Wallfisch and Jakob Kullberg as professors in the RCM String Faculty.
Raphael Wallfisch is one of the most celebrated cellists performing on the international stage. During his studies in California with the great Russian cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, Raphael was chosen to perform chamber music with Jascha Heifetz in informal recitals at Piatigorsky’s home. At the age of 24 he won the Gaspar Cassadó International Cello Competition in Florence and has since enjoyed a world-wide career. Teaching is one of Raphael’s great passions, for which he is in demand all over the world, and he currently holds the position of professor of cello at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste. Raphael plays a 1760 Gennaro Gagliano, the 1733 Montagnana “Ex-Romberg” and an exquisite modern cello built for him by Patrick Robin.
Raphael Wallfisch said: ‘I'm delighted to be joining the distinguished faculty at the Royal College of Music, following in the footsteps not only of my father who taught there until 1989, but also my dear teacher Amaryllis Fleming! I look forward to a long and fruitful association with the College.’
Praised internationally for his performances of the modern cello concerto, Jakob Kullberg is one of the most active young Danish instrumentalists. Top prize winner at international solo and chamber music competitions, he has been awarded the Gladsaxe Music Prize, is a two time winner of the Danish Grammy Award and has been nominated for a Gramophone Award. Jakob enjoys a unique working relationship with the Danish composer Per Nørgård, who through creative and experimental collaboration has composed numerous works for him. In 2013 Jakob was appointed to the Norwegian Artistic Research Fellowship Programme and has been the Artistic Director of the Open Strings Cello Academy since 2004.
Jakob Kullberg said: ‘It is something of a dream come true for me to become part of, and to contribute to the Royal College of Music with its rich history and distinguished faculty. I cannot wait to interact and share my craft with the gifted students of the institution.’
Find out more about the RCM String Faculty.
