Alexander Rolton

A member of the Philharmonia Orchestra since 2018, he performs with the Orchestra in all the major concert venues around the world and extensively throughout the UK, working frequently with the world’s most prominent conductors and soloists. Aside from the Philharmonia, Alex is in high demand as a guest principal and continuo player with some of the top baroque and classical orchestras, working frequently with the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music and Brecon Baroque. His continuo playing for early music ensemble La Nuova Musica was described by The Times as “suave and assertive”. 

Alex began playing the cello aged five and has since accrued two degrees from the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with professors Felix Schmidt, Joe Crouch and Jonathan Manson. Whilst studying at the Royal Academy he won all the internal cello competitions and – playing a 5 stringed piccolo cello – even one violin competition. 

When not playing, Alex is often to be found tinkering on ageing Land Rovers, working on his brother’s farm, or creating big band-style multi-cello arrangements which – during lockdown – found considerable success online.

He plays an English cello, built in London in the mid-18th century.

Chair endowed by Saul Nathan.

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