Podcast 236: Cellist Guy Johnston on Britten’s Cello Symphony

Cellist Guy Johnson speaks candidly in this episode about his influences, his preparation and his fascination with Britain’s Cello Symphony, which he plays and the BBC Proms on the 28th of July 2026.

There is talk of Rostropovich, the BBC Young Musician competition he won in 2000, his teaching, and his need for balance. There’d normally be some music, some kind of editing.

There is, in truth, absolutely no need for any of it, because this episode is like some of the finest and most natural free-flowing conversation, peppered with insights and reflections of a similar kind. I like to think that Johnson himself picked up from the many mentors who have played a part in his musical development. As lineage goes, this is all quite, quite magical.

We start customarily with an examination of what he had for breakfast.