Timothy Rundle

Timothy began playing the oboe after hearing the instrument for the first time, being played at a local concert and being captivated by it’s unique and special sound.  His parents took him to meet the oboe player after the concert who was very happy to chat, and let him hold his oboe. He advised that, in a year’s time Timothy might be old enough to start learning.

A year later, aged 8, Timothy had his first lesson with that same oboist, Robert Wells, who became his oboe teacher for the next few years.

After learning with Jenni Phillips at the junior department of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire he then attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and set off on the path towards becoming a professional musician.

After graduating Timothy freelanced successfully and was appointed in 2005 to his first job with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Glasgow, where he spent six happy years. In 2011 he moved south after being appointed the 2nd Oboe in the Philharmonia. It was then a dream come true to be appointed Joint Principal Oboe in December 2018.

Timothy says of the Philharmonia, “I love the energy and spontaneity that the Philharmonia plays with in concerts.  It has a very special way of making music that is filtered through, as if by magic, to players who join the orchestra. The unspoken connection between all the members is palpable and unique”.

Outside of the orchestra Timothy enjoys living in the countryside with his wife and two children where they are kept busy looking after a small menagerie of animals, his favourite being two pigs.

The Principal Oboe Chair is endowed in memory of Elizabeth Aitken.

Endowment opportunities at the Philharmonia offer supporters unique access and insights to our players. Find out more here.

Watch a film featuring Tim Rundle: