Debut for young man with a priceless cello

Jamie Walton lists acquiring his Guadagnini cello, made in 1765, as one the pinnacles of his impressive career.

"It's gorgeous," he said,

"It sounds just like velvet - I love it. You have to keep it with you at all times. If you are going on a plane you have to buy a ticket for it and never let it out of your sight.

"When I chose it I had tried playing the instruments blind so I wouldn't be prejudiced. A lot of people assume because an instrument is a Stradivarius it is going to be the best.

"When I realised I had chosen this instrument, my reaction was 'oh no, how much?'

"It is totally unaffordable for anybody to buy. I had to put together a syndicate to get it."

Even after getting the syndicate backing and sponsorship from the Co-operative Bank, the cello is only his for the next five years.

First festival

Mr Walton has performed at the likes of the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room in London, but this will be his first Three Choirs Festival, and will be performing in a piano trio tomorrow.

Along with violinist Jack Liebeck, and pianist Charles Owen, Mr Walton will be performing Beethoven's Trio in G Minor - Op1 No2, Frank Bridge's Sonata for Cello and Piano, and Ravel's Trio in A Minor.

"The audience can expect some pretty fiery playing, not only in the Beethoven, but also in the Ravel trio, which is one of my favourite trios," said the 28-year-old.

Along with 22-year-old Mr Liebeck and Mr Owen, aged 31, the trio is relatively young.

"There have always been young players performing and often it can bring a freshness to the music," Mr Walton said.

Mr Walton and Mr Owen have also recorded a CD for SOMM Recordings of the Chopin and Rachmaninov sonatas.

Earlier in the week Mr Walton gave one solo performance in the Cathedral of Bach's Cello Suites.

"I love playing Bach in the old churches and cathedrals, it really makes sense in terms of acoustics," he said.

"I love the resonance caused by the bricks."

The concert will take place at Huntingdon Hall tomorrow at 11am.

ONE of the rising international stars of the classical music world will be performing at the Three Choirs Festival on a 250-year-old cello.

Jamie Walton lists acquiring his Guadagnini cello, made in 1765, as one the pinnacles of his impressive career.

"It's gorgeous," he said,

"It sounds just like velvet - I love it. You have to keep it with you at all times. If you are going on a plane you have to buy a ticket for it and never let it out of your sight.

"When I chose it I had tried playing the instruments blind so I wouldn't be prejudiced. A lot of people assume because an instrument is a Stradivarius it is going to be the best.

"When I realised I had chosen this instrument, my reaction was 'oh no, how much?'

"It is totally unaffordable for anybody to buy. I had to put together a syndicate to get it."

Even after getting the syndicate backing and sponsorship from the Co-operative Bank, the cello is only his for the next five years.

First festival

Mr Walton has performed at the likes of the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room in London, but this will be his first Three Choirs Festival, and will be performing in a piano trio tomorrow.

Along with violinist Jack Liebeck, and pianist Charles Owen, Mr Walton will be performing Beethoven's Trio in G Minor - Op1 No2, Frank Bridge's Sonata for Cello and Piano, and Ravel's Trio in A Minor.

"The audience can expect some pretty fiery playing, not only in the Beethoven, but also in the Ravel trio, which is one of my favourite trios," said the 28-year-old.

Along with 22-year-old Mr Liebeck and Mr Owen, aged 31, the trio is relatively young.

"There have always been young players performing and often it can bring a freshness to the music," Mr Walton said.

Mr Walton and Mr Owen have also recorded a CD for SOMM Recordings of the Chopin and Rachmaninov sonatas.

Earlier in the week Mr Walton gave one solo performance in the Cathedral of Bach's Cello Suites.

"I love playing Bach in the old churches and cathedrals, it really makes sense in terms of acoustics," he said.

"I love the resonance caused by the bricks."

The concert will take place at Huntingdon Hall tomorrow at 11am.