Christopher Bunting

Studies were interrupted by army service during the Second World War; he finally gained his music degree in 1947.

[1] In 1952 he gave a successful debut recital at the Wigmore Hall with pianist Gerald Moore, and soon afterwards travelled to take up a scholarship studying with Pablo Casals in Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales.

[1] His own teaching was influenced by Casals's detailed analysis of music performed; Bunting came to be regarded as a demanding but inspirational teacher.

[3] In 1955 at the Cheltenham Music Festival, Bunting gave the first performance of Gerald Finzi's Cello Concerto; he had been involved in its composition.

[1] From 1994 his performing career ended; he suffered from a spinal condition which was never satisfactorily diagnosed, and was in a wheelchair, but he continued to teach.