Archie Camden OBE (9 March 1888 – 16 February 1979) was a British bassoonist, a pedagogue and soloist who won international acclaim.
In 1968 The Times said "If the bassoon is no longer considered to be the orchestra's clown, its rehabilitation is the result of Mr Camden's work as an orchestral player, soloist and teacher".
[2] He stayed until 20 March 1968, when the orchestra put on an 80th birthday concert at the Royal Festival Hall, including a performance of the Mozart Bassoon Concerto.
[1] Eric Fogg (in 1931) and Gordon Jacob (in 1947) wrote concertos for Camden, while Arnold Bax composed the Threnody and Scherzo for him in 1936.
He recorded the piece several times - most notably in March 1926 with Hamilton Harty conducting,[11] then in 1956 with Harry Blech and the London Mozart Players.
During the war the couple moved to follow the BBC Symphony Orchestra, first to Bristol and then, once the air raids became too severe, to Bedford.
[6] Their two sons both went onto to become wind players, both studying at the Royal College of Music: Kerry (bassoon, 1936-2010) and Anthony Camden (oboe, 1938-2006).