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Articles on the flute
Gordon Walker
Gordon Walker (1885–1965) was born in Yorkshire
and was largely self-taught. He moved to London
before the First World War, where he played in a
number of orchestras, notably as principal flute of
the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and of the
London Symphony Orchestra. He was succeeded
as principal of the London Symphony Orchestra by
his son, Edward Walker (usually known as Eddie).
In the mid-1950s Gordon and Eddie Walker formed
the Sinfonia of London, which made countless
recordings of music for films. Gordon Walker was
a member of the London Flute Quartet with Frank
Almgill, Charles Stainer and Robert Murchie.
Both Gordon and Eddie Walker recorded Edward
Elgar’s delightful The Serious Doll from his Nursery
Suite, with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Gordon’s recording was made with Elgar himself
conducting. These recordings are reproduced as a
fascinating comparison.
Photograph courtesy of Margaret Walker.
Christopher Steward’s early flute recordings
Edward Elgar: The Serious Doll from
Nursery Suite. Gordon Walker, flute;
London Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Edward Elgar. Recording made in 1931.
