David Cowley - Principal Oboe of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales

DAVID COWLEY - OBOE

As principal oboe of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, David Cowley is firmly established as one of the leading oboists in Great Britain and is well known to television and radio audiences throughout the UK.

He combines a busy schedule with the BBC N.O.W. with concerto performances, recitals in partnership with pianist Bryan Evans and appearances as guest principal with other top British orchestras such as the LSO, LPO, Philharmonia and CBSO. In addition to his playing commitments David is professor of oboe at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

David was a prize-winning student at the Royal College of Music, studying with Sarah Francis, Terence MacDonagh and Michael Winfield. On completing his studies he was immediately appointed principal oboe of Opera North and in the same year made his London debut with Bryan Evans at the Purcell Room in a recital acclaimed by press and public alike. Since then the duo have appeared at venues all over the country including the Wigmore Hall and have broadcast many times on Radio Three. Their most recent project is a CD (Dryad Discs DJC001) of French music for oboe and piano released in 2003.

Also in 1978 David made his concerto debut at St John's Smith Square, again to good reviews, and subsequent appearances include the Queen Elizabeth Hall with the London Mozart Players, St David's Hall, Cardiff with the BBC NOW and on BBC radio and television.

His recordings on the Nimbus label with the BBC NOW of the Oboe Concerto by William Mathias (1992/Llewellyn) and Alun Hoddinott's Doubles for oboe and harpsichord (1993/Otaka) were warmly received by critics.

Recent appearances include performances with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for Radio Three of the Strauss Oboe Concerto with Richard Hickox in 2001, Mozart Oboe Concerto in C K314 with Grant Llewellyn in 2005 and performances of the Francaix L'Horloge de Flore with Thierry Fisher in 2002 and Douglas Boyd in 2005.

Recent performances of twentieth century works, including the Elliott Carter Oboe Concerto in 2004 with Grant Llewellyn and the world premeire of Guto Puw's Oboe Concerto with Gary Walker in 2006, have also been received with critical acclaim (see reviews).

Future plans include performances of concertos by Vaughan Williams and Stephen Frost as well as the release of a CD of British Music with Bryan Evans. See 2006 Diary for information.

BRYAN EVANS MBE - PIANO

Bryan Evans, piano Bryan Evans studied piano with Kendall Taylor at the Royal College of Music, winning many prizes both as a soloist and accompanist. Since then he has performed extensively throughout Europe as a soloist and accompanist as well as recording for BBC radio, Channel 4 and on CD.

Since 1996 he has been Music Director of Diva Opera and Concerts and combines this with a busy concert career. He is also much in demand as a vocal coach and accompanist and in the 1993 New Year's Honours list was awarded an MBE for his services to music and opera.