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

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

“Hugh demystifies classical music’s erudite reputation”
(Louth & District Concert Society)

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.

This season saw Hugh return to Scotland for his debut recital tour with close collaborator pianist Junyan Chen, showcasing more traditional works with contemporary sonatas by Sally Beamish and Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say, with whom the duo conferred on a recent recording of his sonata ‘Four Cities’. Hugh curated a concert inspired by Rilke’s poem ‘Liebeslied’ at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in May 2024, featuring music for cello, piano and string trio by Harrison Birtwistle, Henry Purcell, Thomas Demenga and Arnold Schoenberg. That month he explored Beethoven’s Piano Trio in C minor Op. 1 No. 3 in concert on historical instruments alongside violinist Charlotte Spruit and pianist Xiaowen Shang. Met with much acclaim, Hugh made his recital debut at the Bridgewater Hall with Junyan Chen in October 2023.

An avid chamber musician, Hugh performed at the 2023 Schiermonnikoog Festival, where he won an Audience Prize and returned for the Autumn edition to give further concerts. He has appeared at the Perth Festival of the Arts as Cross Trust Artist of the Year and other festivals such as the West Wycombe Chamber Music Festival with artistic director Lawrence Power, the NUME Festival with festival director Vlad Stanculeasa, and ‘Mendelssohn on Mull’ alongside the Doric String Quartet and fellow emerging artists. Other notable collaborators include violinist Charlotte Spruit and violist Edgar Francis, with whom he performs regularly as a string trio and as a piano quartet with Junyan Chen. 

Hugh was a semifinalist at the 2024 International Bach Competition in Leipzig. He is currently a chamber music scholar at the Landesstiftung Villa Musica in Neuwied-Engers, Germany, where he performs with world-leading musicians and fellow young artists. In 2021, Hugh made his concerto debut with the Bremer Philharmoniker under the direction of their chief conductor, Marko Letonja, performing Schumann’s Cello Concerto at the Dortmund Konzerthaus and Die Glocke Bremen. Recent concerto appearances include Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with the Aylesbury Symphony Orchestra and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with the Vanburgh Ensemble.

Born in 2000 in the Scottish Borders, Hugh received his formative education at St. Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh under Ruth Beauchamp and Philip Higham, later studying at the RAM with Hannah Roberts, John Myerscough and Jonathan Manson, where he held the Yadegar-Hall Award. During his studies, he won the coveted inaugural LSO Conservatoire Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies at the RAM, as well as scholarships from the Cross Trust, Waddell Trust, Caird Trust, Beatrice Huntingdon Awards, Battersea United Charities, Help Musicians UK and the Countess of Munster Trust, for whose invaluable support he is very grateful. 

Hugh is indebted to many esteemed cellists for their guidance and influence. He has participated in masterclasses with cellists such as Gary Hoffman, Sung Won Yang, the late Antonio Lysy, Alban Gerhardt, Alisa Weilerstein, Steven Isserlis, Natasha Brofsky, David Watkin, Xenia Jankovic, Steven Doane, Colin Carr and Adrian Brendel. He is grateful for the continued mentorship of Pieter Wispelwey.

Hugh is currently based in London, UK. He plays a fine Italian cello by Giovanni Celoniatus c. 1740 on loan from the RAM Instrument Collection, and a contemporary bow by Chris Graves.