Cellist Joy Hall has Died, Aged 102

A member of the Delmé Quartet, Hall appeared on a number of tracks by the Beatles, including "Strawberry Fields Forever"

British cellist Joy Hall was born in Northamptonshire in 1920 and began learning the cello at the age of six. By the time she was thirteen, she had been offered scholarships at both the London Cello School and the Royal Academy of Music. Accepting the latter offer, she studied at the Academy for several years, winning prizes and eventually leading the cello section of the Academy orchestra.

Upon leaving the Academy, Hall appeared with a number of prominent string quartets, including the Zorian Quartet. She also became a member of the London Symphony Orchestra and regularly performed at the Proms as part of this role.

In 1962, Hall founded the Delmé Quartet alongside Granville Delmé Jones (violin), Jurgen Hess (violin), and John Underwood (viola). The group toured extensively, appearing at major European festivals (such as the Salzburg Festival) and routinely receiving airtime on the BBC radio networks.

The group famously appeared on many Beatles tracks, including "Strawberry Fields Forever" — as well as "Eleanor Rigby" and "She's Leaving Home." For some of this work, she was mistakenly credited as "John Hall."

Hall continued to play into her late 70s, giving concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and teaching at Wells Cathedral School.

Our condolences to Hall's family, friends, and colleagues.