Nathan Jackson Turner
Growing up in the Peak District, Nathan has strong connections with the North West – notably performing Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with the High Peak Orchestra. He has recently completed a Master’s in Cello Performance with Jen Langridge and Eddie Pogossian at the RNCM. During his studies, he was fortunate to receive mentorship from Hannah Roberts, Nicholas Trygstad and Leonard Elschenbroich. In 2024, he was the recipient of the Shirley Catterall award for Cello and appeared in the Finals of the Concerto competition, John Barbirolli cello award and the Christopher Rowland chamber prize with the Talland Quartet. A highlight of his studies included performing at the Wigmore Hall as part of the RNCM New Ensemble in 2023.
With a keen interest in chamber music, Nathan is a board member for the Mourne Chamber Music Festival, which he looks forward to returning to this Summer.
As a member of the Talland Quartet, he has received mentorship from the Doric, Elias and Piatti Quartets. They were recently ensemble in residence at the South Downs Music Festival and were awarded a place on the Hans Keller Chamber Residency in Cambridge.
Nathan has been fortunate to perform in the Hallé’s chamber music series alongside members of the cello section, also with Elias Quartet in the RNCM concert hall.
He is a graduate of the BBC Philharmonic Professional Experience Scheme and the Hallé String Leadership Scheme, now performing regularly with both orchestras. Recently, Nathan has performed at the BBC Proms and across China with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Nathan is also a keen performer of baroque music, which he enjoys studying with Jonathan Manson and Roger Hamilton on a period instrument. He currently plays a 1845 French cello by Charles Plumerel, with generous support from the Loan for Musical Instruments Fund.
What are you most looking forward to on the scheme?
“One of the aspects of the 360° Fellowship I’m most excited about is the ‘Beautiful Game’ project taking place in the Manchester Football Museum. Taking music to new spaces is always exciting, and I’m fascinated to see music and football combine as they’re both a core part of the Mancunian identity!”
What music have you been listening to recently that you’d recommend?
Here’s something that I’m listening to! It’s the title track from Michael McGoldrick’s Fused album, which I love because he combines his Mancunian heritage with many other Folk traditions.
This song, ‘Watermans’, is from Eastern Europe and shows one of the best aspects of music, which is sharing songs and ideas from other cultures and traditions!
