David Watkins biography

While still at school, he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and a finalist in a Daily Mirror Competition for young instrumentalists. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, a French Government Scholarship enabled him to continue his studies in Paris. Returning to London, Solti chose him to play with the orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. It was a ‘Golden Age' which included performances by Callas, Sutherland, Schwarzkopf, Fonteyn and Nureyev. He then became a founder member of the new Welsh National opera company under the direction of James Lockhart and, after a short time with the Royal Philharmonic, joined the London Philharmonic under the batons of Boult, Solti, Haitink and Tennstedt.

His solo concerts have taken him all over the world, performing many of the compositions that have been written especially for him. He has also performed as soloist with the London Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, etc. and appeared as soloist with the London Sinfonietta at the London Proms with Sir Simon Rattle conducting. Since winning first prize in an International American Competition with his composition Petite Suite' for harp, he has written many pieces including the Concerto Pastorale, which he played with the London Philharmonic at the Royal Festival Hall, Walter Susskind conducting. His recording of Ravel's Introduction & Allegro with the National Philharmonic became a bestseller in the USA, and other highly acclaimed recordings have been issued by RCA, Meridian and Pyramid. For many years he has been Professor of harp at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has written a 'Method' for the harp published by Boosey and Hawkes.