“bursting with vitality...electric intensity…a startling interplay of power and delicacy”
“mind-blowing virtuosity”
“Hugh demystifies classical music’s erudite reputation”
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.
Last 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 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 is currently a chamber music scholar at the Villa Musica Landesstiftung in Neuwied-Engers, Germany, where he performs with world-leading musicians and fellow young artists. 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. Since 2022, Hugh has been a member of Ensemble Jackalope alongside violinist Charlotte Spruit, violist Edgar Francis and pianist Junyan Chen.
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 numerous 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, Ralph Kirshbaum, 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 plays a fine Italian cello attributed to the Gagliano family on loan from the Villa Musica Landesstiftung, and a contemporary bow by Chris Graves.