Stephen Threlfall

For many years, Stephen Threlfall played sub-principal cello with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. He has performed concertos and chamber concerts across the UK and is currently a member of the Autumn String Quartet.

Formerly Director of Music at Chetham’s School of Music, he continues to conduct a number of orchestras and ensembles and since 2020 he has been Artistic Director of the Lake District Summer Music festival. Stephen continues to promote music for young people, emerging artists and the wider community.

As a conductor, Stephen has earned much acclaim for his performances, recordings and broadcasts. He has conducted at many major venues and festivals in the UK and with many international solo artists. Engagements have taken him to the USA, Europe and Scandinavia, with regular visits to the Urals Philharmonic and Bach Orchestras in Yekaterinburg, the Royal Oman Symphony and Amman Symphony Orchestras. Other ensembles include Leeds Festival, Chester Bach and Manchester Chamber Choirs; the Northern Ballet and Northern Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and the BBC Philharmonic. He has conducted a number of concert broadcasts for the BBC, Classic FM and Russian national Radio and TV, and his repertoire includes many world premieres, notably High on the Slopes of Terror by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Stephen made his Royal Festival Hall debut in February 2012 in an all-Rachmaninov programme.

Stephen combines a natural sense for performance with his creative vision to inspire the artistic direction and programming of concerts, festivals and educational events. He has a passion for working with young people and has enjoyed successful collaborations with many student and youth orchestras both at home and abroad.

He has created and directed a number of arts and community projects involving an impressive number of guest musicians, artists and specialists.