Jacqueline du Pré

Jacqueline du Pré (1945–1987) was an English cellist celebrated for her intense, expressive performances, especially of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

Cello Concerto (Elgar): Edward Elgar’s 1919 concerto for cello and orchestra, known for its lyrical themes and elegiac character. Du Pré’s 1965 recording with John Barbirolli became the defining performance associated with her.
Iris du Pré: English pianist and music teacher who was the mother of Jacqueline du Pré. She encouraged her daughter’s musical education and became an early teacher.
Cello: A bowed string instrument played seated, with its body between the knees and its endpin resting on the floor. It is the instrument whose range and expressive resources du Pré made central to her career.
Multiple sclerosis: A chronic disease in which the immune system damages myelin in the central nervous system. The disease ended du Pré’s cello career as her coordination and physical control declined.
Edward Elgar: English composer whose orchestral works include the Cello Concerto in E minor. The concerto that most closely shaped du Pré’s public identity was Elgar’s final major orchestral work.
William Pleeth: English cellist and teacher who taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Pleeth was du Pré’s principal cello teacher and a lasting musical influence.
Cello technique: The bowing, fingering, posture, and articulation methods used to play the cello. Du Pré’s forceful bowing and broad phrasing contributed to her distinctive performance style.
Oral history of multiple sclerosis: Personal accounts documenting how people experience and live with multiple sclerosis. Du Pré’s illness brought public attention to the personal realities of progressive disability.
John Barbirolli: English conductor and cellist who led the Hallé Orchestra from 1943 to 1970. He conducted du Pré’s celebrated 1965 recording of Elgar’s concerto.
Itzhak Perlman: Israeli-American violinist celebrated for performances of the classical violin repertoire. He performed chamber music with du Pré and Barenboim, including the Schubert Piano Trio in B-flat.

Linked from 2 pages

Pablo CasalsCompared with: Her celebrated modern cello career offers a later point of comparison with Casals’s legacy.