Sidney Sutcliffe

[1] He began his musical studies as a cellist, but joined the army in 1934 to earn a living as a bandsman and was assigned to the oboe.

[3] At the age of 17, while a student at the RCM, Sutcliffe made his professional debut, at the Wigmore Hall, London.

In 1938 he was appointed principal oboe in the Sadler's Wells orchestra, but was recalled to the army on the outbreak of the Second World War the following year.

The principal oboist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), Michael Dobson, heard him playing and asked him to deputise for him for a recording session.

[5][6] Legge aimed to rival it with what he called his "royal flush", comprising Sutcliffe, Bernard Walton (clarinet), Gareth Morris (flute) and (from 1951) Cecil James (bassoon].