Rudi de Groote

Rudi de Groote is currently principal cello with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. He grew up in South Africa and after studying at the Royal College of Music in London, he moved to Scotland where he became Principal cello of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He is frequently invited to be guest principal cello in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of Opera North, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the John Wilson Orchestra. He frequently performs as cellist with the Chilingirian String quartet, and has performed with Marcia Crayford, Robert Cohen, Garfield Jackson and the Belcea string quartet. As soloist, Rudi has performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony under Ilan Volkov, Martyn Brabbins and Jerzy Maksimiuk, and with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera under Francesco Corti. He has broadcast live for Radio 3 and has performed in recital at the Edinburgh and Cheltenham International Festivals. Rudi has undertaken masterclasses with Torlief Thedeen, David Geringas, Franz Helmerson, and Moray Welsh. He plays on a cello by Ferdinand Gagliano dated 1777.