Jacqueline du Pré achieved international acclaim at age 20 following a 1965 recording of a major cello concerto, cementing her status as a premier musician of the 20th century. Born in Oxford in 1945, she emerged from the British musical education system to perform alongside leading orchestras worldwide before her career was interrupted by multiple sclerosis in her late twenties.
Early Education and Recognition
Du Pré began cello lessons at age five, following early instruction from her mother, Iris Greep. She attended Croydon High School and later enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1956, she won the Guilhermina Suggia Award, which funded her studies with William Pleeth. By 1960, she had secured the Guildhall Gold Medal and participated in masterclasses with Pablo Casals in Zermatt. Her formal debut occurred in March 1961 at Wigmore Hall, accompanied by Ernest Lush.
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Her professional trajectory included a 1962 debut at the Royal Festival Hall and subsequent appearances at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as debuts in Paris and Berlin. During the mid-1960s, she studied with Paul Tortelier and Mstislav Rostropovich. Her 1965 American debut at Carnegie Hall preceded an extensive global performance schedule. She worked with numerous ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic.
Artistic Legacy and Honours
Du Pré performed on two Stradivarius instruments gifted by her godmother, Isména Holland: a 1673 cello and the 1712 Davidov Stradivarius. Her professional achievements were recognized with an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1976 and an honorary doctorate in 1979. Following her retirement from public performance due to illness, she focused on teaching and mentoring.
Fast facts
- Born: 1945, Oxford
- Died: 1987, London
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Primary Instrument: Cello
- Guildhall Gold Medal: 1960
- Appointed OBE: 1976
- Burial Site: Golders Green Jewish Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Where is Jacqueline du Pré buried?
She is buried at the Golders Green Jewish Cemetery.
Which major awards did she receive?
She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1976 and received an honorary doctorate in 1979.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire — 1976
- Instruments: cello and Davidov cello Stradivarius
- Genres: classical music
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