Raphael Wallfisch is one of the most celebrated cellists performing on the international stage. He has recorded nearly every major work for his instrument and his extensive discography explores both the mainstream concerto repertoire and countless lesser-known works by Dohnanyi, Respighi, Barber, Hindemith and Martinu, as well as Richard Strauss, Dvorak, Kabalevsky and Khachaturian.

Formed in 1967, the Northern Chamber Orchestra, based in Manchester, has established itself as one of England’s finest chamber orchestras, giving concerts and appearing throughout the British Isles. The NCO tackles a wide range of repertoire from Corelli to Stravinsky and beyond. The members of the orchestra are distinguished chamber musicians who also play as principals with other orchestras and regularly appear as soloists. With over thirty CDs to its name, the NCO is now known in every continent.

Nicholas Ward was born in Manchester in and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music. Having studied with Yossi Zivoni in Manchester and André Gertler in Brussels, he moved to London in 1977 where he joined the Melos Ensemble and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 1984, Nicholas has divided most of his time between the City of London Sinfonia, of which he is leader, and the Northern Chamber Orchestra, which he directs from the leader’s chair.