Birth

:

in London, England

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Sarah Francis was born on August 21, 1938, in London, England. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being a professional violinist and her mother a pianist. From a young age, Sarah showed a natural talent for music and began playing the oboe at the age of 12. Sarah's musical education began at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied under the renowned oboist, Terence MacDonagh. She later continued her studies at the Paris Conservatoire with Pierre Pierlot, one of the most respected oboists of the time. In 1964, Sarah joined the London Symphony Orchestra as their principal oboist, a position she held for 25 years. During her time with the orchestra, she also performed as a soloist and chamber musician, collaborating with some of the most prominent musicians of the time. Sarah's career as a soloist began in the 1970s, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading oboists of her generation. She performed with many of the world's top orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. One of Sarah's most notable performances was her rendition of Richard Strauss's Oboe Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1977. The performance was widely praised by critics and established Sarah as a leading interpreter of the work. Sarah was also a passionate chamber musician and founded the London Oboe Quartet in 1971. The quartet quickly gained a reputation for their innovative programming and virtuosic performances. They performed extensively throughout the UK and Europe and recorded several albums, including a highly acclaimed recording of Mozart's Oboe Quartet. In addition to her performing career, Sarah was also a respected teacher and mentor. She taught at the Royal Academy of Music for over 30 years and was a visiting professor at several other institutions, including the Royal Northern College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Sarah's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with several awards and honors throughout her career. In 1989, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her services to music. She was also made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 1996 and an Honorary Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2001. Sarah continued to perform and teach well into her 70s, and her legacy as one of the greatest oboists of all time lives on. She passed away on August 3, 2020, at the age of 81, leaving behind a rich legacy of recordings, performances, and students who continue to carry on her musical traditions.

More....