VERY SAD NEWS | Chilingirian Quartet Founding Cellist Philip De Groote Has Died - Aged 68

South African cellist Philip De Groote has passed away - aged 68

South African cellist Philip De Groote has passed away - aged 68.

He performed with the London-based Chilingirian String Quartet from 1971 until his retirement in 2013 - and held a long term teaching position on faculty at London’s Royal College of Music and the University of Cape Town.

“Cellist Philip De Groote, the rock on which the Chilingarian Quartet was founded, passed away peacefully last night ...” violinist Levon Chilingirian has said via social media.

"The Chilingirian Quartet profoundly mourns his untimely death … I am personally deeply saddened by the loss of my long-time musical soulmate,” he has said.

Our condolences are with Mr De Groote's family, friends, colleagues and students.