25 Facts About Robert Murchie

Robert Murchie was a virtuoso British flautist and a prominent member of the major English orchestras between 1914 and 1938.

Robert Murchie was successively principal flautist in the New Symphony, Beecham Symphony, Queen's Hall, New Queen's Hall, London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Society, BBC Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras.

Robert Murchie was described by Sir Henry Wood as "one of the finest of living flautists" who said he had "a tone, a technique and a musicianly style that cannot be surpassed".

Robert Murchie's father bought him a piccolo when he was seven years old and a flute when he was nine.

The 1901 Scotland census states that aged 17 Robert Murchie was a theatre musician in his native Scotland.

In 1909 Robert Murchie was playing with the New Symphony Orchestra as their piccolo player, as can be seen in their orchestra lists of the period.

Robert Murchie married Florence Barrow, a fine singer, a student at the RCM, in 1910 and they had two children, Robert Arnot Murchie and James Ian Murchie.

Early in his career, Robert Murchie was a member of the Royal Victory Band, an ensemble that recorded for the British Victory label ca.

In September 1913, Robert Murchie was chosen to play alongside the great Italian coloratura soprano, Luisa Tetrazzini, in a recording of Caterina's grand aria from Meyerbeer's L'etoile du nord.

Robert Murchie joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1914 and remained with the orchestra until 1920.

Robert Murchie became the Brigade bandmaster in 1917 and played the Fourth Army over the Rhine.

Robert Murchie became one of the leading flute players in London, succeeding Albert Fransella as principal flute of the orchestra of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Robert Murchie was the first principal flute of the newly formed BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Robert Murchie was at various times principal flute of the London Symphony Orchestra, the New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the Henry Wood Symphony Orchestra.

Robert Murchie played with the BBC's Wireless Military Band, conducted by Lieut.

Robert Murchie was principal of the variously named Proms orchestras from 1919 until 1928, when he left for a period of two years.

Robert Murchie returned in 1931 and continued as principal until retiring after his last Prom, in which he played Bach's Concerto No 8 in A minor for Flute, Violin, and Piano, on 22 September 1937, when he took up professorships at Trinity College of Music and the Royal College of Music.

In late 1919, Robert Murchie played at the memorial concert in Balliol Hall for Frederick Septimus Kelly, playing Kelly's Flute Serenade with Sir Donald Tovey on piano.

Also performing at that concert was Jelly d'Aranyi with whom Robert Murchie performed on numerous occasions.

Robert Murchie recorded Maurice Ravel's Introduction and Allegro, with Ravel conducting, in 1923.

Robert Murchie was a founder member of the London Wind Quintet in 1926 and was one of the London Flute Quartet with fellow Proms performers Gordon Walker, Frank Almgill and Charles Stainer.

Robert Murchie was a renowned exponent of Johann Sebastian Bach and played in the New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the Henry Wood Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Henry Wood, numerous times.

Robert Murchie played alongside the celebrated Dame Myra Hess in the popularisation of Bach's 5th Brandenburg Concerto.

Robert Murchie was the flute professor at Eton College, Windsor; Winchester College and St Paul's Girls' School, London.

Robert Murchie died in Paddington, London on 26 July 1949 at the age of 65 after a short illness.