Zara Nelsova
was born in Winnipeg on 24th December 1917. Her parents had emigrated from Russia. In 1926 the family moved to London. While attending the London Violoncello School, Zara met the British cellist and music producer Eleanor Warren. When Zara Nelsova died in October 2002 Eleanor wrote her obituary for The Guardian. The obituary included the following insightful observation:

‘She was blessed with very strong hands and fingers, which were both flexible and able to stretch without difficulty. Her technique developed quickly, but, more important, was the instinctive, warm and beautiful tone which distinguished her playing, even at that early stage. As she grew up, she became somewhat spiritual, but never lost the sense of humour and friendliness that attracted all who knew her.’

Three years after moving to London Zara made her solo debut with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Malcom Sargent. Zara later moved to Toronto with one of her sisters, Ida, the violinist. She immediately joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as principal cello. As recognition of her ability increased offers of solo engagements began to pour in. Despite this success Zara wanted to improve her technique and subsequently studied with Pablo Casals on a summer course in the Pyrenees.

As well as being a regular soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Zara taught at the Julliard School of Music, New York, and at the Aspen music festival in Colorado. Which brings us back to the painting by Lucia Tallarico-Lukman; through this work I discovered Zara Nelsova.