Alastair Blayden

DipRCM (perf), DipRCM (teaching)

Cello professor

Alastair Blayden is sub-principal cello of the London Symphony Orchestra with whom he has played all over the world.

He has collaborated extensively both in concerts and recordings with many of the leading conductors of recent times including Leonard Bernstein, Sir Colin Davis, Bernard Haitink, Pierre Boulez, Sir George Solti, Mariss Jansons, Andris Nelsons, Valery Gergiev, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Antonio Pappano and Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

He has also appeared as guest principal with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and English Chamber Orchestra.

He was a founder member of the Dante String Quartet appearing in recordings and on Radio 3.

Alastair Blayden has recorded prolifically for film and television, notably in collaboration with John Williams for Star Wars and Harry Potter, together with Patrick Doyle, Nick Hooper and Alexandre Desplat. Other recordings include Notting Hill for Trevor Jones-Elvis Costello, Titanic for James Horner, Downton Abbey for John Lunn, Wolf Man for Ben Wallfisch to name a few.

In the worlds of jazz and pop Alastair has recorded for Dave Brubeck, Paul McCartney, Natalie Cole, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Diana Krall, Emeli Sandé, Robbie Williams, Liam Gallagher, Diana Ross, Raye and Rosalía.

Aside from the Royal College of Music and teaching privately, Alastair Blayden has been closely involved in the Guildhall School of Music Orchestral Artistry course as well as leading classes for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the National Youth Orchestra of Spain, JONDE.

During his formative years Alastair studied with Joan Dickson and later William Pleeth at the Royal College of Music, whilst also receiving extensive coaching from the Amadeus and Borodin Quartets.

Faculties / departments: Strings