ArtMuseLondon caught up with the much in demand British cellist, Guy Johnston, just as he was about to open the Hatfield House Music Festival.

Guy – 2025 will be the 14^th year of the Hatfield House Music Festival. What is the musical theme for this year?

The Gift of Music. The gift of music is one of the most precious things we can receive. We’ll be exploring many aspects of generosity shown by composers and performers through the ages. Ravel and Shostakovich are this year’s anniversary composers.

In this grand Jacobean stately home, you will also be giving a special performance of Tavener’s The Protecting Veil. Later, in October, you will be giving two performances of the same work at St Sophia’s Orthodox Cathedral in Bayswater with the Britten Sinfonia. 

Can you first tell me the significance of playing in this Cathedral?

John Tavener converted to the Greek Orthodox faith and used to worship in this very place. It’s an extraordinary coincidence that the performance on the 28th October happens to be on the same day as the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, which is the essence of the Protecting Veil! This Feast inspired the composition of this work, so the timing and the beautiful space being so closely connected to Tavener, will ensure that this will be a very special experience to perform this transcendental work in such an inspired setting.

What can you tell me about Tavener and his work and what does the composer mean to you?

I first encountered John Tavener when I was a young chorister at King’s College, Cambridge. We were singing his choral work, The Lamb, and I vividly remember his presence, which struck me even then as a young nine or 10-year-old. He was extremely tall with long hair, dressed in a white suit, and had a sort of mystical aura around him.

Some years later I was performing his works, Popule Meus, for solo cello and orchestra, and Svyati, for cello and choir, again in King’s College Chapel. Director of music Stephen Cleobury told me that Tavener was going to be at the concert, and so I decided to reach out to him to ask about the pieces before we performed them in his presence.

I have had a number of experiences with the The Protecting Veil, not least, performing it live on BBC Radio 3 in Kings College Chapel in a memorial concert for John Tavener. 

You will be making a live recording of the Protecting Veil at St Sophia’s Church. How will you adapt your cello play to recording in this cathedral?

We wanted to capture a live experience in this ideal space that will inhabit the work beautifully. It couldn’t be more fitting. I won’t be adapting anything, but performing for our audience and soaking up the atmosphere as I would in every hall.

What are your next projects 2025/20267. Any mad project you would like to pull off one day?

I have a really exciting year ahead including 3 albums to record with various orchestras including the Britten Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras. I’ll also be performing the premiere of a new cello concerto by Joseph Phibbs with the BBC Symphony Orchestra on 16^th January at the Barbican, giving recitals at the Wigmore Hall and Aldeburgh Festival, planning our 15th Anniversary festival at Hatfield House, and working with my new class at the Royal Academy of Music amongst other exciting things in the pipeline. 

I am hoping to arrange an adventure on the Island of Ischia where Walton wrote his cello concerto ahead of a planned recording of the Concerto. 

KH

The Hatfield House Music Festival runs from 9-12 October. Browse the concerts and purchase tickets here https://hatfieldhousemusicfestival.org.uk/contact-us/

Attend the live recording of Tavener’s The Protecting Veil on 28 and 29 October at St Sophia’s Orthodox Cathedral, purchase tickets here https://www.brittensinfonia.com/events/the-protecting-veil-2