Biography
Alexander Nicholls is an award-winning cellist and musicologist specialising in the performance and study of eighteenth-century music. He holds degrees in music performance from the Juilliard School (USA) and the University of Western Australia, as well as a first-class Honours degree in musicology from the University of Sydney (Australia). Gaining momentum through orchestral experience and mentorship from international artists across three continents, he performs regularly in concerts and recordings with ensembles and orchestras worldwide.
He completed his doctoral studies at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Wien (Vienna) under the supervision of Dr Clive Brown, with a dissertation focused on the cello performance practices associated with King Friedrich Wilhelm II (1744–1797). His research and performance work are driven by a commitment to the recovery of neglected eighteenth-century repertoire and the application of historically informed approaches to musicology.
Academic Degrees
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Doctor of Philosophy – Musicology – 2025 – Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Wien – Vienna, Austria
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Master of Music, Baroque Violoncello – 2016 – The Juilliard School New York, United States of America
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Bachelor of Music Studies (Honours Class I), Musicology – 2013 – Sydney Conservatorium of Music – Sydney, Australia
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Bachelor of Music Performance, Violoncello – 2012 – The University of Western Australia – Perth, Australia
Recordings
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Johann Gottlieb Janitsch: Janitsch Church Sonatas, Berlin Friday Academy, Brilliant Classics, Berlin 2022
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Kowar, Helmut: Kleemeyer 170. Dittersdorf, Haydn, Martín y Soler und Pleyel auf den zwölf Walzen der Flötenuhr Nr. 170 von Christian Ernst Kleemeyer, Berlin. Göttingen 2022 Cuvillier
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Johann Gottlieb Janitsch: Janitsch Trio Sonatas, Berlin Friday Academy, Brilliant Classics, Berlin 2020
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Christoph Graupner: Antiochus und Stratonica, Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra, CPO, Bremen 2019
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Georg Friedrich Handel: Almira, Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra, CPO, Bremen 2018
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Samuel Scheidt: Cantiones Sacrae Motetten, Athesinus Consort, Carus, Berlin 2018