About

A student of William Pleeth, Sophie Harris graduated from Chethams School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, where she won numerous prizes. Moving to London, she enjoyed five years with the award-winning Smith Quartet, following her passion for contemporary music.

Since then her work has diversified both as a soloist and with ensembles, performing, recording, and commissioning new cello works with a range of composers and musicians including Steve Reich, Gavin Bryars, Michael Nyman, Kevin Volans, Django Bates, Graham Fitkin, Rolf Hind, Isidora Zebeljan, Egberto Gismonte, Melody Gardot, Julian Marshall and jazz luminary Sam Rivers.

The playing is magnificent, leading me to ponder what a deep layer of talent there is on the musical scene. Why pay top dollar to listen to Yo Yo Ma when Sophie Harris is on our own doorstep?

Dave Billinge, MusicWeb International

She has collaborated extensively with composer Jocelyn Pook on soundtracks for film, most notably Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, and with Gavin Bryars on a specially commissioned score for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

Sophie plays a wide repertoire in her extensive performances, CD recordings and radio broadcasts with many of Britain’s leading chamber ensembles - including the Brodsky Quartet, Hilliard Ensemble, Ensemble Moderne and Lontano.

Sophie is the cellist in the Duke Quartet. Her cello is a Daniel Parker 1730.