Canadian cellist Christian Elliott enjoys a varied career as chamber musician, orchestral musician, and soloist. He was appointed Principal Cellist of the Irish Chamber Orchestra in 2016, with whom he has appeared as soloist and director. He is also cellist of the Phoenix Piano Trio, whose latest disc entitled “The Leipzig Circle” has met with critical acclaim. Upon the recommendation of cellist Steven Isserlis and after a brief trial period, Christian joined the Zehetmair Quartet in March 2014, renowned for its performances from memory. He has played with the Quartet at Europe’s most celebrated venues.

 

As a composer, Christian premiered his own string sextet composition at London’s Wigmore Hall in July 2012, commissioned to commemorate the Prussia Cove International Musicians Seminar’s 40th anniversary. Other commissions include a work for the Francoise-Green Piano Duo, and a solo viola work for Ruth Killius. Christian also performed some of his own solo cello pieces at the Spike Alternative Cello Festival in Dublin in February 2020.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian arranged and multi-track recorded Bach’s complete Goldberg Variations for multiple cello parts from his home, in addition to arranging and recording works ranging from Gabriel Fauré’s Nocturnes for Piano, film music by Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams, as well as Piazzolla, The Animals, and Radiohead.