David Cohen cello with Alina Pritulenko piano

Cellist David Cohen has been Principal Solo Cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra since September 2022.

Born in the town of Tournai in Belgium, David made his solo debut with the Belgium National Orchestra at the age of nine. His international career as a soloist soon flourished with the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Soloist Chamber Orchestra, l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic, and the BBC Concert Orchestra among others.

David has worked as a soloist with some of the most distinguished conductors, such as Lord Menuhin, Walter Weller, and Sir Charles Mackerras. As a graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, David won more than 25 prizes in international cello competitions and was appointed principal cello of the Philharmonia Orchestra in March 2001.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Alina Pritulenko began playing the piano at the age of five. Alina soon became a laureate of international competitions such as Le Muse in Naples, Italy, and Iste’dod in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

After graduating in 2019, she was invited to continue her education at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and was awarded a full scholarship. She currently studies with Sergio De Simone, Martino Tirimo, and Mikhail Shilyaev. She performs both solo and chamber music across venues in London, such as the Old Royal Naval College Chapel and St. Alfege Church.

She graduated from Trinity Laban with first-class honours in July 2023 and continues to study there for her Master’s degree.