James BarraletCello‘This Park Lane Group concert began with two works for unaccompanied cello. Right from the outset – a triple-stopped glissando – Barralet’s mastery of his instrument was evident, as well as his dedicated advocacy of its matchless depth.‘ Classical Source James Barralet has been described as ‘a fresh and charismatic communicator’ and having ‘a flair and commitment which makes for strong communication with his audience’. He released his debut CD in 2009 of virtuosic solo cello works under the Landor label, having won their competition the previous year, and is soon to record Brahms cello sonatas for the Somm label. James’s CDs have gained critical acclaim in The Strad, The Gramophone and the Classical Music Magazine. He has given performances of concertos by Elgar, Walton, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Saint Saens, Haydn, Taverner and Khatchaturian with orchestras throughout the UK and Europe. He has played at most of the major UK venues, including the Wigmore and Cadogan halls, Purcell Room and Bridgewater Hall, also throughout Europe and beyond. Winner of many awards, James has been a Making Music Artist, a Park Lane Group artist, and a Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist. He graduated first from the RNCM with a first class degree and two diplomas and subsequently at the Basel Hochschule für Musik gaining the renowned 'Soloists Diploma'. He is a regular at the International Musicians' Seminar in Prussia Cove, which is an important source of inspiration for him. James is a laureate of numerous awards including the 2003 Royal Philharmonic Society Julius Isserlis scholarship and the Muriel Taylor Cello Scholarship. He has received prizes and awards from the English Speaking Union, the Swiss Government, the Myra Hess Trust, the Tillett Trust, the Denne Gilkes trust, the Bromsgrove International Competition, the Countess of Munster Trust, the Hattorti Foundation and the Sir John Barbirolli Cello Competition. James is cellist of Wigmore Hall's improvisation and outreach group, Ignite. He plays in a clarinet trio with John Reid and Sarah Williamson and also with a contemporary music group in Switzerland - Ensemble Espaces Zurich. He has recently formed a duo with Simon Callaghan to perform and record Brahms's cello works. Some reviews: It's a deeply idiomatic performance [of the Kodály], as we can hear in the declamatory style of the opening and the delicate filigree of the second movement's ornaments...The writing for cello [in the Roxburgh] is inventively colorful and Barralet relishes its dramatic possibilities. Gramophone Magazine This young cellist … offers a muscular rich sound which dazzles in the Kodaly sonata and the gymnastics of Edwin Roxburgh’s Partita for solo cello, and then switches on the lyricism for an intense account of Britten’s third cello suite, including both versions of the first movement. A brilliant debut disc. Classical Music Magazine In 2007 British cellist won the Landor Records Competition; this debut disk is the result. Kodaly’s Sonata opens it in arresting fashion. Barralet … plays with energy and poise, judging the pace expertly. Barralet, a fresh and charismatic communicator … The Strad April 2010 The long-awaited debut recording by this stunning young cellist who was the joint-winner of The Landor Competition in 2007. Well-known for his wide-ranging musical interests (which include collaborations with Indian musicians and extensive improvisations on folksongs from around the world) James Barralet tackles one of the pinnacles of the solo cello range in the Kodaly Sonata, giving a coruscating performance of this early twentieth-century masterpiece….For lovers of the cello, of twentieth century music or just of young British artists, this is a debut recording to savour. Presto Classical Tchaikovsky's ‘Rococo Variations’ … proved a excellent vehicle for cellist James Barralet to demonstrate both his technical wizardry and musicianship. Gloucester Echo Barralet has a flair and commitment which makes for strong communication with his audience … Musical Pointers James Barralet’s delivery supplied its one fascinations… No doubting the strength of feeling from the desolate wastes of Britten’s third Suite to the febrile kaleidoscope of Kenneth Kesketh’s Die Hangende Figur ist Judas. The Times Infinitely musical Clifford Benson A truly great cellist, moreover a truly great musician Benjamin Zander 
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