Guy Johnston

15/08/2026

A special afternoon spent making music, celebrating and remembering Francis and Jane Cowan. Whilst I didn’t ever meet Jane, my teachers quoted her most lessons. A lasting legacy and one that continues 30 years on.

29/07/2026

Hope at the end of the Britten Cello Symphony last night. The struggle is worth every ounce for those final bars! A surreal and exhilarating experience of an extraordinary work. Thank you BBC Symphony Orchestra and Oramo for such a warm and supportive collaboration. It was a joy and privilege to be back at the BBC Proms, and extra special to have the opportunity to share my experience of performing Britten’s Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra at the Proms, aged 16, conducted by Rostropovich with The National Youth Orchestra. I ended by playing the final coda of Britten’s 3rd Suite in their memory, including the Kantakion which is a Russian Orthodox Byzantine Chant for the Dead.

Ikon Arts Management J & A Beare Larsen Strings European String Teachers Association (ESTA UK) Hatfield House Music Festival Nicky Thomas Media British Cello Society Royal Academy of Music

25/07/2026

Nearly the end of an era here in this hallowed place at BBC Maida Vale Studios London. I’ll be rehearsing here over the next few days and reminiscing about past experiences including concertos by Elgar, Charlotte Bray, Saint-Saens, Joseph Phibbs, and now Britten. Wishing the BBC Symphony Orchestra all the best in their transition towards a new home after this summer.

Ikon Arts Management J & A Beare Larsen Strings European String Teachers Association (ESTA UK) Hatfield House Music Festival Nicky Thomas Media British Cello Society Royal Academy of Music

24/07/2026

I’m in a Britten bunker this week preparing for the BBC Proms on Tuesday with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Luckily I’m staying downtown and have been getting out for walks in St James’s Park, to hear Magnus and Royal Ballet And Opera in La Boheme last night, and to play on BBC Radio 3 In Tune with Petroc and Mishka today. (Link below - First appearance is around 0:15:30 into programme followed by second appearance around 0:38:07).

Rehearsals start this weekend and I can’t wait to launch into this incredible Cello Symphony.

Ikon Arts Management J & A Beare Larsen Strings European String Teachers Association (ESTA UK) Hatfield House Music Festival Nicky Thomas Media British Cello Society Royal Academy of Music

Petroc Trelawny presents live music and conversation in the studio.

21/07/2026

Fun to chat with Jon on the Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast today. You can hear some thoughts around Britten’s Cello Symphony, which I’ll be performing at the BBC Proms on the 28th July!

Ikon Arts Management J & A Beare Larsen Strings European String Teachers Association (ESTA UK) Hatfield House Music Festival Nicky Thomas Media British Cello Society Royal Academy of Music

Podcast Episode · Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast · 21 July · 41min

20/07/2026

At the beginning of this year, I chose to reach out to a Performance Mindset Coach. Joanna Latala has been wonderfully insightful, supportive and encouraging during quite a momentous year for me. I can thoroughly recommend her practice to anyone who is looking to change old patterns for a fresher and more sustainable approach. I’m taking on some of the ideas and information slowly but surely, and for the first time in years will be going on holiday a little over a week from now without my cello. You can read an article of Joanna’s about Recovery, which has just come out in The Strad below.

Wishing all a happy and healthy summer ahead.

In the first of a two-part series, cellist and researcher Joanna Latała debunks the myth that is ingrained in many performning musicians: that time away from one's instrument comes at the cost of progress

15/07/2026

Football might be coming home ⚽⚽ – but if you’re in West Sussex and looking for alternate entertainment this evening, you might like to hear that we’ll be coming to you: to Chichester Cathedral

Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth kicks off tonight’s performance – which features Dvořák’s Symphony No.8, Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No.2 and Barber’s Adagio for Strings – at 7.30pm. The concert also features star player Guy Johnston with Barber’s Cello Concerto

It’s set to be a memorable evening! https://buff.ly/qs67FxM

10/07/2026

Bach at the beautiful Five Churches Festival in Norfolk in the morning, and Roxanna Panufnik and Ola Gjeilo in Norwich Cathedral with the BBC Singers in the evening. Cello nicely tied up in an air conditioned camper van en route in between! You can hear the broadcast next week.

Ikon Arts Management J & A Beare Larsen Strings European String Teachers Association (ESTA UK) Hatfield House Music Festival Nicky Thomas Media British Cello Society Royal Academy of Music

27/06/2026

Don't miss our return to the wonderful Chichester Cathedral on Wednesday 15 July 🎶

Enjoy Beethoven, Dvořák and two pieces from Barber in one evening under the baton of Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth. We’re looking forward to welcoming cellist Guy Johnston, who performs Barber's concerto.

Book your tickets now ➡️ https://buff.ly/384o0k3

26/06/2026

Fond memories of Grieg’s beautiful and uplifting sonata for piano & cello with dear friend, Mishka Rushdie Momen. You can listen again on BBC Radio 3 BBC Sounds from c. 30 mins into programme.

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