The Strad – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra appoints associate principal double bass

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The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has announced the appointment of Nathan Knight as its associate principal double bass (no.2).

Knight studied at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with a BMus (1st Class Honours) and won the Orchestral Regency Award before going on to study a PGDip at Trinity Laban Conservatoire with Leon Bosch.

He has undertaken principal trials with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Opera North, Ulster, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, served as guest principal with Chineke!, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Manchester Camerata, and has performed regularly with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He is a member of Decus Ensemble and is a regular session musician in London.

Career highlights include winning the Charles Hallé Award on the RNCM/Hallé SLTS, London Philharmonic Orchestra Foyle Future First, semi-finalist in the 2016 5th Biennial Double Bass Solo competition and 2021 Royal Overseas League String Category and was a 2020 Britten Pears Artist. He recently featured in episodes of CBeebies’ Musical Storyland.

Knight said he was ’incredibly excited’ to be joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

’As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to be able to play in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall many times as a member of National Youth Orchestra. It has been a fantastic experience playing there now as a professional musician and becoming reacquainted with that great acoustic and fantastic audiences.

’It feels fitting that I can take the next step in my career with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and contribute to an organisation whose work I very much admire.’

Vanessa Reed, the orchestra’s new chief executive said: ’It’s my pleasure to welcome Nathan to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic family. It’s been thrilling to experience all the orchestra’s performances during my first two months as chief executive, and I have no doubt that Nathan’s exceptional skills and dedication to his craft will enrich our ensemble. I look forward to the fresh perspectives and artistry he will bring to our stage.’

The orchestra’s 2025-26 season opens on Thursday 18 September with Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’ under the baton of its chief conductor, Domingo Hindoyan.

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