Obituary - Neil Black, oboist and teacher

Died: August 14, 2016

NEIL Black, who has died aged 84, was one of the most distinguished post-war British oboists. His dexterity, musicianship and ability to capture the essence of a phrase of music was widely acknowledged by colleagues and the public. Over the years, he was principal oboe of four orchestras: the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) and the London Mozart Players. He built up a career as a soloist and was a popular figure on the concert platform and in the recording studio.

Mr Black also had close associations with many music organisations in Scotland most memorably the Tunnell Trust where he was active both at the Music at Blair Atholl and Coll Music. He was a patron and artistic adviser for the trust from its foundation in 1989 and until two years ago coached on their summer course. Jonathan Tunnell (artistic director of the trust) told The Herald: “Neil was without doubt one of the most positive and inspirational figures in the music profession for several generations.”

Neil Cathcart Black was born in Birmingham the son of a radiologist. His talents were recognised at an early age while at Rugby School and he was one of the earliest members of the National Youth Orchestra, which was founded in 1948. He remained a member until 1951 when he read history at Exeter College, Oxford.

From 1956–57 Mr Black continued his musical studies and from 1958–60 was principal oboist at the LPO. He then became leader of the oboe section of the ECO where he was principal for 27 years, working under conductors such as Daniel Barenboim and Neville Mariner.

Mr Black became fascinated with early music and decided to concentrate his solo playing on the baroque composers thus furthering his interest in period instruments. He was also a professor of music at both the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. He made many recordings, notably of the Vivaldi oboe concerti under Marriner and, also with Marriner, a memorable recording with Elly Ameling of Bach’s cantata 202. He accompanied the tenor Robert Tear’s fine recording Ten Blake Songs by Vaughan Williams.

Mr Black appeared with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) in many studio sessions for Radio 3 – notably in 1967 under Malcolm Arnold playing the Albinoni oboe concerto. In 1981 Mr Black, with the BBC SSO, gave the world premiere of Priaulx Rainier’s oboe concerto (Concertante for two Winds) in the Albert Hall Proms under Charles Groves with Thea King on the clarinet. He appeared at two Edinburgh Festivals: in 1981 he was the soloist with the ECO under Pinchas Zukerman in Handel’s oboe concerto and returning in 1990 to play with the ECO, again with Zukerman, Bach’s concerto for violin and oboe.

In 1991 the Tunnell Trust converted barns at the 18th century Strathgarry House in Perthshire and also performed at Blair Atholl where they held advanced courses for young wind musicians at the start of their careers. Mr Black was a leading teacher and a trustee of the Tunnell Trust’s Music on Coll festivals which Jonathan Tunnell remembers with particular warmth.

“Neil was a gentleman with an incredible speedy wit and great intelligence," he said. "Students were immediately put at their ease as everyone he came into contact with was shown equal respect and great warmth.

“Neil worked with our young musicians in a fabulously collaborative way, always helping them to galvanise their own ideas and musicianship, never imposing his own. He helped to shape the philosophy of the trust with his gentle encouraging support, leaving our chamber musicians to develop their own voices.”

Mr Black supported the Barbarolli International Oboe Competition on the Isle of Man and in 2013 he was appointed musical director of the Kirckman Concert Society, which helps and promotes young artists at the beginning of their careers. He was a huge encouragement to the musicians and the society has stated, “Neil had a real flair for identifying highly talented young performers … we will miss his wise counsel and gentle humour.”

Mr Black, who was awarded an OBE in 1989, is fondly remembered by colleagues, pupils and amateur oboe players as a terrific player and a gentleman. He did much to further the appreciation of the instrument and through his own stylish playing brought an elegance and grace to its repertoire.

Mr Black married Jill Hemingsley in 1960. That marriage was dissolved and in 1984 he married Jan Knight – also an oboe player. She survives him with two daughters and a son from his first marriage.

ALASDAIR STEVEN