Death of a celebrated cello teacher, aged 95

The pianist Alberto Portugheis has informed us of the death of his longterm recital partner: ‘It is with great sadness that I relay the news of the the death of my old and dear friend and colleague, the distinguished Welsh cellist Gwyneth George, occurred this morning at 9 am at London’s Charing Cross Hospital. In three months time she would have reached her 96th birthday.’

Gwyneth George in 2001. Photo: Keith Bramich

The Welsh cellist Gwyneth George, born in Swansea, won an open scholarship to the Royal College of Music where she studied under Ivor James, later studying in Rome with Enrico Mainardi and in Paris with Paul Tortelier. From 1967 to 1972 Gwyneth George collaborated with the pianist Alberto Portugheis in a series of recitals in London’s Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room, as well as in France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Sweden. In 1980 Gwyneth George gave the London and New York premières of five ” Five Nocturnes and cadences” written for her by the Welsh composer Alun Hoddinott.

Gwyenth George spent several years as Cello Professor at London’s Trinity College of Music. Since 1998, the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe awards the “Gwyneth George Prize” to the most successful team in the Society’s annual Beethoven Masterclasses and Competition.