The Strad, August 2003 Vol. 114 No. 1377 page 810

Philip Sheppard is a cellist with diverse interests – and almost boundless stamina.
Laurinel Owen went to meet him.

A little wrinkle of disdain creased my brow as I stolidly sat preparing to hear Royal Academy professor Philip Sheppard give a presentation at the Oxford Cello School. It was the blue five-string electric cello attached to speakers, notebook computer and numerous toys and gadgets that tweaked my slightly arrogant scorn. Silently I thought, “Show me”. In my experience classically trained players pick up such an instrument only to noodle a Bach sonata or suite, which for me is comparable to performing Crumb’s Black Angels with a viol consort. Read more…