Philip Nelson is a versatile double bassist whose career spans orchestral, chamber, and solo performance. A member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, he performs regularly with leading conductors and soloists, including Sir Simon Rattle, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir András Schiff, and Robin Ticciati.

 

Philip appears frequently as Principal Bass with award-winning ensemble Sinfonia of London, contributing to several critically acclaimed and commercially successful recordings. He also performs in principal roles with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Frankfurt Oper, and Spira Mirabilis.

 

He previously served as Section-Leader Double Bass with Royal Northern Sinfonia, where he developed chamber music projects—including collaborations with Maria Włoszczowska—and performed as a soloist in Jean Françaix’s Bass Concerto and Missy Mazzoli’s “Dark with Excessive Bright” at the Glasshouse in Gateshead.

 

As a soloist, Philip has performed with the Munich Chamber Orchestra, Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, Theater & Philharmonie Altenburg-Gera, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with whom he recorded Cipriani Potter’s Concertante. His playing has been recognised at several international competitions, including the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, BassEurope Solo Competition, the Sperger Competition, and the 2023 ARD Competition.

 

A committed chamber musician, Philip has performed with Ensemble360, the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, Wigmore Soloists and 12Ensemble, with festival appearances including Music in the Round Sheffield, East Neuk Festival, Lewes Chamber Music Festival, Cowbridge Music Festival, Llantwit Major Chamber Music Festival, Ulverston International Chamber Music Festival, and the Stamford International Music Festival.

 

Originally from Germany, Philip began his musical training with his father before attending the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Royal College of Music in London (as a full ABRSM scholar), and the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, where he completed his Konzertexamen under Rick Stotijn.