Robert Bigio flute pages

Articles on the flute

Edward Walker Edward Walker (1909–1982), usually known as Eddie, studied with his father, Gordon Walker and with Daniel S. Wood. He joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1937, when his father was principal flute, and became the orchestra’s principal flute himself in 1946. In the mid-1950s he left the LSO to become second flute to Gareth Morris in the Philharmonia, at the same time playing first flute in the Sinfonia of London, founded by his father to record film music. Eddie Walker can be heard playing on countless film scores. He taught at the Royal College of Music, where his students included Patricia Lynden, Peter Lloyd, Roger Rostron and many others. Eddie Walker’s son, Tony, who died in 2011, was a member of the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra (now called the BBC Philharmonic). Both Gordon and Eddie Walker recorded Edward Elgar’s delightful The Serious Doll from his Nursery Suite, with the London Symphony Orchestra. These recordings are reproduced as a fascinating comparison. Photographs: (top) Eddie Walker; (bottom) Eddie, Gordon and Tony Walker. Courtesy of Margaret Walker.

Christopher Steward’s early flute recordings

Edward Elgar: The Serious Doll from Nursery Suite. Edward Walker, flute; London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lawrance Collingwood. Recording made in 1953.