George Stratton

Another fine English violinist from roughly the same period, but one whose basic achievements were as orchestral leader and chamber musician rather than as soloist, was George Stratton, born in London on 18 July 1897 who led the LSO from 1933 to 1953 and also the Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra from its inception in 1934.The Stratton String Quartet which he formed in 1925 (it lasted until 1942) gave many fine performances and its recording of the Elgar Piano Quintet with Harriet Cohen made in 1933, has passed into legend.He also led the Reginald Paul Piano Quintet.Stratton also composed and won a prize for composition as a student at the GSM; his most ambitious works were the 15 minute long Pastorale Concerto for viola and piano, published in the year of his death, 1954 and an Oboe Concerto, lightly accompanied by an orchestra of strings, two clarinets and bassoon.In 1935 he published with Alan Frank, a book on The Playing of Chamber Music.It was reprinted in 1951.He also contributed an article "On Leading the LSO" to Hubert Foss' London Symphony.He taught at the RCM from 1942 and was awarded an OBE in 1953.