Background
His father Wilfred (1878-1941) was a bassoonist in the Queen"s Hall Orchestra and professor at the Royal College of Music. Cecil studied with his father, won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music.
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Cecil James
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There, in 1933, he performed the Mozart Concerto with Orchestra and shortly after was appointed to the London Symphony Orchestra. During the war, he played with the Royal Air Force Central Band alongside such luminaries as Gareth Morris, Leonard Brain, Dennis Brain, Norman Delegate March, Harry Blech, Fred Grinke, Leonard Hirsch, Jim Merrett and James Whitehead. When demobbed, he joined the New Symphony, then in 1951 was appointed by Walter Legge as principal bassoonist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, playing under such conductors as Guido Cantelli, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan, Otto Klemperer and Arturo Toscanini.
Cecil"s instrument, a Buffet-Crampon bassoon which had been presented to his father by the makers, was made to the French "Buffet" pattern - quite distinct from those of the more modern German "Heckel" system which he derided as "mumblephones", but were clearly taking over as instruments of choice.
He always made his own reeds. He never held a formal teaching position and only rarely took pupils.
His irascible temper was legendary, though he mellowed a little with age and the desire to promote use of antique instruments.
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Born
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Died
January 13, 1999 (aged 85) -
Nationality
United Kingdom