Peter Dixon studied at the Royal Academy of Music with David Strange. He made his Purcell Room debut in 1981 and, in 1984, joined the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Two years later, he was appointed Associate Principal - a post he held until 1990 when he joined the BBC Philharmonic as Principal Cello.
A year later, he made his debut as soloist at the Royal Festival Hall playing the Walton Cello Concerto. He has made several CDs with the BBC Phil since then, including the first ever CD of Korngold’s Cello Concerto. Also in his discography are Frank Martin’s Ballade for Cello and Orchestra recorded with the London Philharmonic, Faure’s Elegie with Yan Pascal Tortelier and Gliere’s Ballade for Cello and Orchestra, as well as some solos on Tortelier’s French Bonbons album.
As well as these CDs, Peter has recorded for BBC Radio 3 James Macmillan’s Cello Concerto, conducted by the composer, and, in April 2000, he performed the Elgar Cello Concerto live on BBC Radio 3 from City Hall Sheffield. In May 2001, he also performed the Elgar in Bahrain with the BBC Philharmonic.
He performed the Macmillan Concerto with the BBC Phil at the Royal Northern College of Music in March 2002, conducted by the composer.
In October 2003, he was invited to Japan to give the world premiere of the Yoshimatsu Concerto - a piece the composer wrote for him - with the Kansai Philharmonic of Osaka and the Japan Philharmonic of Tokyo, conducted by Sachio Fujioka. In Novembe,r he recorded this piece with the BBC Phil on the Chandos label.
In December 2005, Peter was the soloist in a performance of Strauss’ Don Quixote at the Bridgewater Hall under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda with the BBC Philharmonic and performed this piece again in November 2006 at the new Sage Centre in Gateshead.
Peter regularly performs in the north of England, most notably recently performing all six Bach cello suites at Chester Cathedral.
He is also a regular adjudicator for BBC’s Young Musician of the Year and a coach for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and also teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music.
In June 2005, Peter was awarded with the honour of Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.