Death of a vital London violist
mainWe are saddened to hear from his friends of the death of Brian Hawkins, a key figure at the heart of London’s music making for six decades. He was 84.
After studies at the Royal College of Music, Brian was a founder member of the London Bach Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta as well as being a regular member of the English Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Nash Ensemble.
He was professor of viola and chamber music and Head of Strings at the Royal College of Music.
Brian was also a member of the Edinburgh String Quartet as well as being a marvellous studio player. Seeing him in the viola section invariably made me feel that the session would go well. As nice as he was talented.RIP
Also a member of the London oboe quartet with the late great Janet Craxton
A long, valuable, varied life. May he rest in string heaven. All violists should by right live as long as Lionel Tertis, 96, d sound as good as the young William Primrose.
Brian and Mavis were old friends of myn but I lost touch, is Mavis still alive and is she still in Wimbledon, would love to be in touch , Brian was such a lovely kind man,