After joining us live in the studio on Episode 9, Soho Classical speaks to cellist Cecilia Bignall, about her background and favourite classical pieces.

When did you start playing the cello and why?

I started the cello aged 5 (I got my first cello for my 5th birthday). My mum had wanted to play the cello and I loved when my dad played low pitches on the saxophone, so they played me lots of cello music and told me how wonderful it was and I agreed!

My favourite piece of music for the cello changes all the time, but currently I’d say it’s Cassandra Miller’s Duo for Cello and Orchestra. It’s incredibly powerful and beautifully written! There are also some amazing tracks on Mica Levi and Oliver Coates’ album ‘remain calm’ that I can’t stop listening to!

Describe your style of performance in 3 words.

Three words, that’s tricky!
Dramatic, Colourful, Experimental

Tell us your first memory of London.

I grew up in Watford so probably went into London a few times I can’t remember, but my first memory is pushing through the crowds of tourists outside Madame Tussauds with my little cello to get to Primary Royal Academy of Music aged 8!

What is one piece of classical music you couldn’t live without?

One piece of music I couldn’t live without is interesting, because again it changes every so often. I go through phases of obsessing over particular pieces and composers! Possibly Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is the most constant place in my top 10!