Jonathan Aasgaard

Jonathan Aasgaard is a Professor of Cello at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Principal Cello of the Sinfonia of London. He holds dual roles as a performer and educator, specializing in classical and contemporary cello repertoire. His career spans solo performances, orchestral leadership, and chamber collaborations with renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Julian Rachlin.

He has premiered over 50 works, including Carl Davis’s Ballade and Giovanni Sollima’s Double Cello Concerto. His discography features acclaimed recordings like the Brahms Cello Sonatas (Gramophone 'Editors Choice') and Debussy’s Sonatas with the Pixels Ensemble. A champion of new music, he frequently collaborates with composers to expand cello’s contemporary repertoire.

He studied at the Barratt Due Institute in Oslo and Guildhall School, winning top prizes. His teaching emphasizes both traditional technique and innovative performance practices. Aasgaard performs on a 1926 Celeste Farotti cello, celebrated for its warm tonal qualities.