Allan Stephenson was a South African-British composer, conductor and cellist. Born in Wallasey, Cheshire in England, he began his music studies at the age of seven on the piano and at thirteen began lessons on the cello. In 1968, he began his tertiary studies at the Royal Manchester College of Music.

In 1973, Stevenson came to South Africa where he was sub-principal cellist with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra.

From 1978-1988, Stephenson was the head of the South African College of Music as well as being the founder of the Cape Town Chamber Orchestra and Musicanti. 

He known for his wide ranging works incorporating orchestral and choral music as well as being responsible for the first performances of several works in South Africa which include Nielson’s Inextinguishable P.D.Q Bach’s 1712 Overture. His catalogue of compositions ranges over 100 works that includes chamber music, three operas, and concerti for almost every orchestral instrument.

Stephenson had worked with many local and international soloists  including Boris Belkin, Jean Volondat, Karine Georgian, Thomas Rajna, Oliver de Groote, Peter Jacobs, Aviva Pelham, Hanli Stapela, Hugh Masekela to name a few.

Source:

Allan Stephenson. Stellenbosch University [Online]. Available: https://www0.sun.ac.za/music/allan-stephenson/ [2023, 6 September].