The 2022 Suggia Gift recipient, a Dewar Arts Award winner and former Mozart Gesellschaft Dortmund scholarship holder, Scottish cellist Hugh Mackay is establishing himself as an independently-minded young artist drawing inspiration from across musical eras and a broad range of artistic collaborations. His vibrant musical life denotes an eclectic range of performing styles and repertoire, from the inception of the cello to the present day, leading him to top venues such as the Wigmore Hall, the Dortmund Konzerthaus and the Palace of Versailles.

Recent News

Hugh toured Scotland with duo partner, pianist Junyan Chen, in March this year. Discover what audiences had to say about their performances:

“Bursting with vitality...electric intensity…a startling interplay of power and delicacy” (Kirkcaldy Music Society)

“Mind-blowing virtuosity” (Aberdeen Chamber Music Concerts)

Selected Concerts

Concerts
Edinburgh: Solo Recital at St. Michael's Kirk
Dec 3
Edinburgh: Solo Recital at St. Michael's Kirk

Hugh performs an all-solo recital at St Michael’s Parish Church in Edinburgh.

Britten | Suite for Solo Cello No. 1
Thomas Demenga | EFEU (2010)
J.S. Bach | Suite for Solo Cello No. 4 in E-flat Major

London: Recital with Junyan Chen
Jan 5
Acton Hill Church
London: Recital with Junyan Chen
Acton Hill Church

The Iris Axon Concert Series presents Hugh Mackay & Junyan Chen in recital.

Fazıl Say | Sonata for Cello and Piano ‘Four Cities’
Nadia Boulanger | 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano
Dmitri Shostakovich | Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor

Acton Hill Church
Edinburgh: SCO play Sibelius
Jan 16
The Queen's Hall
Edinburgh: SCO play Sibelius
The Queen's Hall

Hugh makes his first appearance as Guest Principal Cellist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Joseph Swensen.

The Queen's Hall
Glasgow: SCO play Sibelius
Jan 17
City Halls
Glasgow: SCO play Sibelius
City Halls

Hugh makes his first appearance as Guest Principal Cellist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Joseph Swensen.

City Halls
Nottingham: Schumann Concerto
Jan 19
Nottingham: Schumann Concerto

Hugh joins the Trent Chamber Orchestra as soloist in Schumann’s Cello Concerto.

Herxheim: Aus Der Neuen Welt
Jan 31
Villa Wieser
Herxheim: Aus Der Neuen Welt
Villa Wieser

Hugh joins violinist Marc Bouchkov and other young artists in this all American string quartet programme.

Aaron Copland | Zwei Stücke für Streichquartett
Philip Glass | Streichquartett Nr. 3 „Mishima”
Samuel Barber | Streichquartett Nr. 1 b-Moll, op. 11
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson | Streichquartett Nr. 1 „Calvary”
Antonín Dvořák | „Amerikanisches Quartett“ F-Dur, op. 96

Villa Wieser
Mainz: Aus Der Neuen Welt
Feb 1
Landesmuseum Mainz
Mainz: Aus Der Neuen Welt
Landesmuseum Mainz

Hugh joins violinist Marc Bouchkov and other young artists in this all American string quartet programme.

Aaron Copland | Zwei Stücke für Streichquartett
Philip Glass | Streichquartett Nr. 3 „Mishima”
Samuel Barber | Streichquartett Nr. 1 b-Moll, op. 11
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson | Streichquartett Nr. 1 „Calvary”
Antonín Dvořák | „Amerikanisches Quartett“ F-Dur, op. 96

Landesmuseum Mainz
Neuwied-Engers: Aus Der Neuen Welt
Feb 2
Villa Musica
Neuwied-Engers: Aus Der Neuen Welt
Villa Musica

Hugh joins violinist Marc Bouchkov and other young artists in this all American string quartet programme.

Aaron Copland | Zwei Stücke für Streichquartett
Philip Glass | Streichquartett Nr. 3 „Mishima”
Samuel Barber | Streichquartett Nr. 1 b-Moll, op. 11
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson | Streichquartett Nr. 1 „Calvary”
Antonín Dvořák | „Amerikanisches Quartett“ F-Dur, op. 96

Villa Musica
Egham: Recital with Junyan Chen
Feb 16
Egham: Recital with Junyan Chen

Egham & District Music Club presents Hugh Mackay & Junyan Chen in recital.

Norfolk: Solo Recital at the Anteros Arts Foundation
Mar 7
Norfolk: Solo Recital at the Anteros Arts Foundation

The Anteros Arts Foundation presents Hugh Mackay in an all-solo cello recital.

Britten | Suite for Solo Cello No. 1
Thomas Demenga | EFEU (2010)
J.S. Bach | Suite for Solo Cello No. 4 in E-flat Major

Edinburgh: Solo Recital at the Charteris Centre
Mar 10
Greyfriars Charteris Centre
Edinburgh: Solo Recital at the Charteris Centre
Greyfriars Charteris Centre

Hugh performs for the first time at the beautiful Greyfriar’s Charteris Centre in Edinburgh.

Britten | Suite for Solo Cello No. 1
Thomas Demenga | EFEU (2010)
J.S. Bach | Suite for Solo Cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011

Greyfriars Charteris Centre
London: Recital with Junyan Chen
Apr 3
New North London Synagogue
London: Recital with Junyan Chen
New North London Synagogue

Intermezzo Concerts presents Hugh Mackay & Junyan Chen in recital.

Beethoven | Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 1 in F Major
Fazil Say | Sonata for Cello and Piano ‘Four Cities’

New North London Synagogue
Melrose: Recital with Junyan Chen
May 4
Melrose Parish Church Hall
Melrose: Recital with Junyan Chen
Melrose Parish Church Hall

Melrose Music Society presents Hugh Mackay & Junyan Chen in recital.

Nadia Boulanger | Three Pieces for Cello and Piano
Nikos Skalkottas | Sonatina for Cello and Piano
Francis Poulenc | Cello Sonata
Mark Simpson | Night Music
Sergei Prokofiev | Cello Sonata

Melrose Parish Church Hall