The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has appointed 26-year old Belarusian musician Aleksei Kiseliov as its new Principal Cello.

Aleksei recently completed his studies with Raphael Wallfisch as part of his Artist Diploma course at the Royal College of Music, which was supported by the Richard Carne Trust, the Orpheus Foundation and the Royal College of Music (RCM). In October 2009, he was selected as the holder of the Constant and Kit Lambert Fellowship supported by The Worshipful Company of Musicians for the 2009/2010 academic year at the RCM. Aleksei continued his studies with a year of lessons with British cellist and former BBC Young Musician of the Year (1994) Natalie Clein at Trinity College of Music. Natalie will join Aleksei and the Orchestra in October when she performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto No1 to audiences in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

New RSNO Principal Cello Aleksei Kiseliov: “It is a great pleasure for me to become Principal Cello of an orchestra of such a high standard. Top conductors, best soloists, combined with a professionalism and dedication from the musicians which truly makes the RSNO one of the greatest ensembles. I’m very much looking forward to the new season, knowing what a beautiful selection of masterpieces is prepared for the audience.”

Aleksei joins the RSNO in September and will be in position in time for the start of the Orchestra’s 2011:12 Season, Stéphane Denève’s final as Music Director. His appointment follows the announcement that James Clark and Maya Iwabuchi had joined as Leaders in May this year and that British-Canadian conductor Peter Oundjian will succeed Stéphane Denève as RSNO Music Director in 2012.

Source: RSNO