Bio

Oliver Simpson is a British-Cypriot cellist based in the UK.

Praised for his beautiful tone, exceptional virtuosity, and joy in performing, Oliver is deeply passionate about communicating through his cello his love and enjoyment of the music in every performance.

Oliver made his concerto debut aged 14, playing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, and he has won many prestigious national and international competitions. His exceptional ability led to advanced study at Kromberg Academy, Germany where he participated in the prestigious public Cello Masterclasses with Philippe Muller in 2024. As an LPO Junior Artist 2021/22, he performed solo with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.

Oliver has established himself as a versatile artist across multiple disciplines.

As an experienced concerto soloist, his recent performances include major works with leading orchestras – Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Elgar’s Cello Concerto with both Newbury and Reading Symphony Orchestras, Dvořák Rondo with St. John's Chamber Orchestra, Saint-Saëns' First Cello Concerto with the Abingdon Symphony Orchestra, Shostakovich’s powerful First Cello Concerto with Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra, and a return to the Newbury Symphony Orchestra with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto.

Oliver enjoys undertaking an extensive programme of recital performances, having performed recent recitals at the Elgar Room Royal Albert Hall, Jaqueline du Pré Concert Hall Oxford, Gregynog Hall Wales, and Milton Court Barbican.

He has a deep love of chamber music and feels joy in collaborating with likeminded musicians. Recent highlights include performances with both the Villiers Quartet and the Castalian String Quartet of Schubert’s String Quintet in the Holywell Music Room, Handel’s Sonata for 2 Cellos at Handel Hendrix House, the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective in the Sheldonian, Jess Gillam in Wilton’s Music Hall, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in the Sheldonian, and the Mendelssohn Octet in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

Oliver has participated in many prestigious masterclasses with Guy Johnston, Natalie Clein, Steven Doane, Rebecca Gilliver, Philip Higham, Richard May, Philippe Muller, Callum Smart, and Jess Gillam, and has taken lessons with Nicholas Canellakis, Natalie Clein, Zlatomir Fung, Richard May, Melissa Phelps, and Philippe Muller.

As a composer, Oliver has recently had works recorded by the BBC Singers at Maida Vale Studios, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Chroma Ensemble. He also has a great love of singing, currently singing tenor in St Hilda’s College Choir where he is a Choral Scholar and Magdalen College Chapel Choir where he regularly deps. He was a chorister for the Queen at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace for five years and played the role of Second Boy in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Magic Flute) at the Royal Opera House, 2017/2018 season.

Oliver has upcoming performances of a period instrument solo cello concerto with Bojan Čičić and the Instruments of Time and Truth, a recital in the Holywell Music Room, Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D in Bristol, a tour to Cyprus, and a recital series tour on the East coast of the United States of America, including Washington DC and New York City.

Ollie is currently an Academic Scholar at the University of Oxford reading Music, and studies cello performance with Mats Lidström and Hannah Roberts at the Royal Academy of Music. He is very grateful to have received support from the Drake Calleja Trust, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the University of Oxford.

Oliver performs on the last W. E. Hill Cello (1932) made in Hill’s workshop on New Bond Street, and finished by Charles François Langonet.

Oliver Simpson is proud to be selected as a Beare’s International Violin Society artist.