Nicolas Altstaedt - About

The essential thing that BBT gave me was the freedom of choice, which I had never experienced before. Today it is so rare to meet people, apart from musical partners, friends and teachers, with whom you can share your real doubts, wishes and ideas. The fact that a varied group of people with knowledge and awareness of young people’s needs, lend their ear to you with great sensitivity is much more worthwhile than anything else. Their generous support enables creativity in the best and most honest way. I am so grateful for being inspired by this unique team and looking forward to many more shared musical moments!

German-French cellist Nicolas Altstaedt is one of the most sought-after and versatile international musicians of his generation. As soloist, conductor and artistic director, he performs repertoire spanning early music to contemporary and is praised for his lyrical tone, elegant musicianship, powers of communication and adventurous spirit: “Such was the purity and warmth of his tone, and so impeccable his rhythmic nuance, that one hung on every note as if they were the words of a master storyteller” (The Australian).

He has built close relationships with orchestras throughout the world and is also committed to chamber music which he enjoys with a variety of distinguished musical colleagues, including BBT alumni Quatuor Ébène, Vilde Frang, Martin Fröst, Antoine Tamestit and Robin Ticciati.

Nicolas used his BBT award across a range of projects including supporting the release of his album, a recording of Johann Sebastian Bach’s three sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord, and the commissioning of a new work, Pas de Deux  for violin and cello by Raphaël Merlin. Nicolas also participated in BBT’s 10th anniversary celebrations at London’s Southbank Centre in 2013.

Nicolas was supported with a BBT Fellowship between 2009 and 2013.

For a current biography please visit nicolas-altstaedt.com or harrisonparrott.com

Read a blog by Nicolas Altstaedt, BBT Celebrated, here

Photographs by Marco Borggreve