Principal oboe of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Professor at the Guildhall School of Music in London, Richard Simpson studied at the Royal College of Music with Sydney Sutcliffe.
After his studies, he was appointed principal oboe of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, a post he held for only one year, when he was invited to be principal oboe of the Halle Symphony Orchestra. He remained for 18 years with the Halle Orchestra, performing many times as a soloist.
Passionate about chamber music, Richard Simpson has been invited to perform at many European festivals. Together with his wife, Janet and with Michael Cox, the principal flute of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Richard Simpson has established the “Syrinx Trio”.
In 1991, Richard Simpson returned to the BBC Symphony Orchestra as principal oboe. He performed many times as a soloist and recorded Haydn Sinfonia Concertante and Mozart Sinfonia Concertante. His performance of Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto was broadcast live by the BBC.
Other recordings include music by Thomas Pitfield, the “Six Metamorphoses after Ovid” by Benjamin Britten and the Sonata for oboe and piano by Edmund Rubbra.
